Bio-based resources from well managed forests play important roles in the transition to a sustainable society, especially in heavily-forested countries like Sweden and Finland. With limited supply, and multiple utilisation pathways, bio-based resources have to be used efficiently. In the project WoodPro, a critical review is carried out to develop and discuss holistic process chains for the value addition from wood-based residues. The goal is to produce biomaterials in a sustainable fashion. The study investigates the usefulness of ubiquitous forest residues, by moving away from energy recovery towards materials recovery and product development. The current incineration of forest residues followed by landfilling of ash is a convenient practice, but it leads to loss of valuable organic material and plant nutrients.

The considered value added-products from valorisation of forest-based biomass (such as bark, sawdust, pulp & paper mill sludge) would be 2,3-butanediol, biopolymer, biogas, hydrochar and biochar. The products were chosen to be economically viable and of interest in industrial processes. The study thus encompasses three types of products: fine chemicals of high purity, small scale industrial production of specialiczed products, and large scale production of products used in bulk. Several technological scenarios have been developed to increase value addition to biomass residues from forest operations and wood manufacturing through their conversion to the above-mentioned bioproducts.

The biomaterials chosen are chemicals of importance in the manufacture of paints, biopolymers for production of protective sheaths for forest tree seedlings, and biochar for soil amendment that will enhance soil fertility and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.   

The results of this review would assist policy makers in development and commercialization of lignocellulose-based bioproducts and facilitate transition to a carbon neutral economy which is a priority issue in Sweden and in the European Union (EU).