This study covered the main aspects of bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials and a potential novel agricultural crop (sweet sorghum) to bioethanol. It placed the production of liquid biofuels in context with alternative routes of bioconversion of biomass, especially those depending on the activity of plant cell wall degrading enzymes, as well as the conventional routes to bioethanol from sugar beet or wheat. It covered technology, economics, energy balances and sparing effects related to the release of fossil-fuel derived carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, including consideration of models, databases and information systems. It considered the possible impact of such activities on the agricultural and rural sectors, in the light of present, proposed and possible future European Union legislation relating to the Common Agricultural Policy, land use and transport fuels and compared the European situation with that of the United States. It made recommendations concerning the need for further R&D activity within the Fourth Framework Programme of the European Commission. The contents of the study included:

Background

Plant cell walls
Enzymes degrading polysaccharides
Saccarification
Previous work supported by the EC
Previous work in EU Member States
Activities outside the EU
Related research activities

Technical assessment

Pre-treatment

Organisms

Enzymes

Hydrolysis technology

Fermentation processes

• Yeast-based fermentation
• Fermentation of lignocellulose hydrolysates
• Fermentation of pentoses and unusual sugars

Fermentation technology

Product recovery

Economics
Models
Energy balances
Carbon balances
Political aspects
Information and databases
Conclusions and recommendations

Plant cell wall degrading enzymes

Fermentation for bioethanol production

Integrated systems

Policies and externalities

Information systems

Pilot and demonstration plant

Appendices

Assessment of a flash hydrolysis plant

Terms used in energy efficiency and energy ratios

Suggested fields for a bioconversion database