Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany

Abstract To stay within the planetary boundaries circularizing economy by utilizing residues is key. Bioprocesses can use abundant, but complex biogenic residues, giving access to various value-added products. To advance circularization, the feasibility of exploiting diverse biogenic residues as fee...

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Main Authors: Adrian Tüllinghoff, Heike Sträuber, Flávio Cesár Freire Baleeiro, Andreas Aurich, Micjel Chávez Morejón, Kathleen Meisel, Karl-Friedrich Cyffka, Falk Harnisch, Katja Bühler, Daniela Thrän
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-025-02673-y
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author Adrian Tüllinghoff
Heike Sträuber
Flávio Cesár Freire Baleeiro
Andreas Aurich
Micjel Chávez Morejón
Kathleen Meisel
Karl-Friedrich Cyffka
Falk Harnisch
Katja Bühler
Daniela Thrän
author_facet Adrian Tüllinghoff
Heike Sträuber
Flávio Cesár Freire Baleeiro
Andreas Aurich
Micjel Chávez Morejón
Kathleen Meisel
Karl-Friedrich Cyffka
Falk Harnisch
Katja Bühler
Daniela Thrän
author_sort Adrian Tüllinghoff
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To stay within the planetary boundaries circularizing economy by utilizing residues is key. Bioprocesses can use abundant, but complex biogenic residues, giving access to various value-added products. To advance circularization, the feasibility of exploiting diverse biogenic residues as feedstocks for different, yet specific, bioprocesses needs to be assessed. Exemplifying the national level in Germany, we categorized biogenic residues compiled in the DE Biomass Monitor regarding their composition and feedstock potential in a resource matrix, detailing their constituents and the quality of available data. Three biotechnological processes, making use of lignin, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and oil, respectively, served as model processes to assess the biogenic production potential. By developing material flows based on state-of-the-art conversion routes, we found that residue-based production via all three example processes could meet national demands of specific polymer bricks, medium chain carboxylates, and platform chemicals, respectively, when mobilizing only 20–30% of possible raw materials. The accruing side streams underline the importance of cluster approaches early in bioprocess development. Specific challenges for fully exploiting the potential of biogenic residues were identified, including legal and acceptance issues, the need for considered biomass decomposition in interweaved production lines, and residue availability and management. This study provides an example-based framework for integrating biogenic residues with biotechnological production, using the resource matrix and an initial material-to-product estimation to advance a circular bioeconomy.
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spelling doaj-art-4fe0d574ea474a6ca0d0b445435b98f12025-08-20T03:46:00ZengBMCBiotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts2731-36542025-07-0118111710.1186/s13068-025-02673-yTowards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in GermanyAdrian Tüllinghoff0Heike Sträuber1Flávio Cesár Freire Baleeiro2Andreas Aurich3Micjel Chávez Morejón4Kathleen Meisel5Karl-Friedrich Cyffka6Falk Harnisch7Katja Bühler8Daniela Thrän9Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZDepartment of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZDepartment of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZDepartment of Systemic Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZDepartment of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZDBFZ-Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbHDBFZ-Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbHDepartment of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZDepartment of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZDepartment of Bioenergy, Helmholtz-Center for Environmental Research-UFZAbstract To stay within the planetary boundaries circularizing economy by utilizing residues is key. Bioprocesses can use abundant, but complex biogenic residues, giving access to various value-added products. To advance circularization, the feasibility of exploiting diverse biogenic residues as feedstocks for different, yet specific, bioprocesses needs to be assessed. Exemplifying the national level in Germany, we categorized biogenic residues compiled in the DE Biomass Monitor regarding their composition and feedstock potential in a resource matrix, detailing their constituents and the quality of available data. Three biotechnological processes, making use of lignin, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and oil, respectively, served as model processes to assess the biogenic production potential. By developing material flows based on state-of-the-art conversion routes, we found that residue-based production via all three example processes could meet national demands of specific polymer bricks, medium chain carboxylates, and platform chemicals, respectively, when mobilizing only 20–30% of possible raw materials. The accruing side streams underline the importance of cluster approaches early in bioprocess development. Specific challenges for fully exploiting the potential of biogenic residues were identified, including legal and acceptance issues, the need for considered biomass decomposition in interweaved production lines, and residue availability and management. This study provides an example-based framework for integrating biogenic residues with biotechnological production, using the resource matrix and an initial material-to-product estimation to advance a circular bioeconomy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-025-02673-yBiogenic residuesCircular bioeconomyBiotechnologyResidue-based productionLand use
spellingShingle Adrian Tüllinghoff
Heike Sträuber
Flávio Cesár Freire Baleeiro
Andreas Aurich
Micjel Chávez Morejón
Kathleen Meisel
Karl-Friedrich Cyffka
Falk Harnisch
Katja Bühler
Daniela Thrän
Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany
Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts
Biogenic residues
Circular bioeconomy
Biotechnology
Residue-based production
Land use
title Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany
title_full Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany
title_fullStr Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany
title_full_unstemmed Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany
title_short Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany
title_sort towards net zero land biotechnology an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in germany
topic Biogenic residues
Circular bioeconomy
Biotechnology
Residue-based production
Land use
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-025-02673-y
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