2nd Generation Biofuels Research Articles

Status and barriers of advanced biofuel technologies: A review

Development of biofuels from renewable resources is critical to the sustainability of the world’s economy and to slow down the global climate change. Currently, a significant amount of bioethanol and biodiesel are produced as biofuels to partially replace gasoline and diesel, respectively, in the transportation sector worldwide. However, these biofuels represent a tiny portion (<4%) of the total fuels consumed. Furthermore, bioethanol is produced predominantly from sugarcane and corn, and biodiesel from crop and plant oils. Production of these raw materials is competing for the limited arable land against food and feed production. It is not feasible to tremendously increase biofuel production using the current technologies. Therefore, it is critical to investigate advanced or 2nd generation biofuel production technologies. This article is trying to summarize the current status of the 2nd generation biofuel technologies including bioethanol from lignocellulosic materials and biodiesel from microalgae. The summary includes the descriptions of the technologies, their advantages and challenges, feedstocks for the 2nd generation biofuels, the key barriers to their commercial applications, and future perspectives of the advanced technologies.

Energy Recovery from Sugarcane-Trash in the Light of 2nd Generation Biofuel. Part 2: Socio-Economic Aspects and Techno-Economic Analysis

Since last decade of twentieth century, the change in cane harvesting method from manual harvesting of burned cane to mechanical harvesting of green cane brought the real possibility of sugarcane-trash energy use. The sugarcane-trash, also called Sugarcane Agricultural Residues (SCAR) represents 1/3 of total sugarcane energy content. Despite SCAR is considered today the main unexplored energy reserve in the sugarcane agro-industry a negligible part of this residues is used. Starting from the analysis of the current situation and environmental aspects described in Part1 of the present work (Alonso Pippo et al. in Waste Biomass Valoriz 1), an assessment on socio-economic aspects of SCAR and energy use was carried out. The impact of sugarcane mechanized harvesting on employment was described. The food versus biofuels production from crops was analyzed. SCAR characteristic in face 2nd generation biofuels requirements was treated. The social aspects related to land use were evaluated. A Linear Programming model for profitability maximization was used in order to estimate economical benefits derived from SCAR energy use. The model solution showed that among the variables should be considered in order to maximize profitability special attention deserves: sugarcane production and SCAR transportation cost. It seems to be that sugarcane mechanized harvesting combined with train transport are among the best infrastructure conditions to maximize the profit. When it is delivered to sugar-mill by train SCAR cost can be up to five times cheaper than when it is delivered using articulated lorries. Assuming SCAR energy use for electricity cogeneration as main priority, it was calculated the optimal size for sugarcane factory from techno-economic point of view. An added value/added cost analysis on SCAR energy use at a medium size factory was carried out.

Biofuels, greenhouse gases and climate change. A review

Biofuels are fuels produced from biomass, mostly in liquid form, within a time frame sufficiently short to consider that their feedstock (biomass) can be renewed, contrarily to fossil fuels. This paper reviews the current and future biofuel technologies, and their development impacts (including on the climate) within given policy and economic frameworks. Current technologies make it possible to provide first generation biodiesel, ethanol or biogas to the transport sector to be blended with fossil fuels. Still under-development 2nd generation biofuels from lignocellulose should be available on the market by 2020. Research is active on the improvement of their conversion efficiency. A ten-fold increase compared with current cost-effective capacities would make them highly competitive. Within bioenergy policies, emphasis has been put on biofuels for transportation as this sector is fast-growing and represents a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Compared with fossil fuels, biofuel combustion can emit less greenhouse gases throughout their life cycle, considering that part of the emitted CO2 returns to the atmosphere where it was fixed from by photosynthesis in the first place. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is commonly used to assess the potential environmental impacts of biofuel chains, notably the impact on global warming. This tool, whose holistic nature is fundamental to avoid pollution trade-offs, is a standardised methodology that should make comparisons between biofuel and fossil fuel chains objective and thorough. However, it is a complex and time-consuming process, which requires lots of data, and whose methodology is still lacking harmonisation. Hence the life-cycle performances of biofuel chains vary widely in the literature. Furthermore, LCA is a site- and time-independent tool that cannot take into account the spatial and temporal dimensions of emissions, and can hardly serve as a decision-making tool either at local or regional levels. Focusing on greenhouse gases, emission factors used in LCAs give a rough estimate of the potential average emissions on a national level. However, they do not take into account the types of crop, soil or management practices, for instance. Modelling the impact of local factors on the determinism of greenhouse gas emissions can provide better estimates for LCA on the local level, which would be the relevant scale and degree of reliability for decision-making purposes. Nevertheless, a deeper understanding of the processes involved, most notably N2O emissions, is still needed to definitely improve the accuracy of LCA. Perennial crops are a promising option for biofuels, due to their rapid and efficient use of nitrogen, and their limited farming operations. However, the main overall limiting factor to biofuel development will ultimately be land availability. Given the available land areas, population growth rate and consumption behaviours, it would be possible to reach by 2030 a global 10% biofuel share in the transport sector, contributing to lower global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1 GtCO2 eq · year−1 (IEA, 2006), provided that harmonised policies ensure that sustainability criteria for the production systems are respected worldwide. Furthermore, policies should also be more integrative across sectors, so that changes in energy efficiency, the automotive sector and global consumption patterns converge towards drastic reduction of the pressure on resources. Indeed, neither biofuels nor other energy source or carriers are likely to mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic pressure on resources in a range that would compensate for this pressure growth. Hence, the first step is to reduce this pressure by starting from the variable that drives it up, i.e. anthropic consumptions.

Cost efficient utilisation of biomass in the German energy system in the context of energy and environmental policies

The possible uses of biomass for energy provision are manifold. Gaseous, liquid and solid bioenergy carriers can be alternatively converted into heat, power or transport fuel. The contribution of the different utilisation pathways to environmental political targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and energy political targets for the future share of renewable energy vary accordingly to their techno-economic characteristics. The aim of the presented study is to assess the different biomass options against the background of energy and environmental political targets based on a system analytical approach for the future German energy sector. The results show that heat generation and to a lower extent combined heat and power (CHP) production from solid biomass like wood and straw are the most cost effective ways to contribute to the emission reduction targets. The use of energy crops in fermentation biogas plants (maize) and for production of 1st generation transportation fuels, like biodiesel from rapeseed and ethanol from grain or sugar beet, are less favourable. Optimisation potentials lie in a switch to the production of 2nd generation biofuels and the enhanced use of either biomass residues or low production intensive energy crops.

Energy Recovery from Sugarcane-Trash in the Light of 2nd Generation Biofuels. Part 1: Current Situation and Environmental Aspects

The importance of Sugarcane-Trash energy use, also called Sugarcane Agricultural Residues (SCAR) or Barbojo was analyzed in the light of 2nd generation Biofuels. The current challenges and opportunities of SCAR energy use were treated. An analysis focused on current Brazilian situation and experiences around the world, was carried out. The most probable routes for 2nd generation Bioethanol production suitability: Biomass to Liquid and Bio-enzymatic were compared in Brazil. The Brazilian Sugarcane Agro-Industry particularities and its influence on SCAR energy use were analyzed. The most probable use of SCAR, in a short and mid term, is as boiler feedstock. The key environmental aspects related to SCAR use were analyzed. The SCAR decomposition process and its influence into the CO2 emission reduction were explained. The weed control effect of SCAR left in the field was examined.

2nd Generation biofuels a sure bet? A life cycle assessment of how things could go wrong

Biofuels are heavily debated as to their potential to reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. Life cycle thinking gave rise to formal evaluations of the energy balance of such fuels, which led to the vigorously conducted “corn to ethanol” debates. Just as consensus was building on such evaluations came the “carbon debt” insights, a result of applying consequential Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) backed by advanced economic modeling. Increasingly, hopes have shifted to the 2nd generation biofuels, viewed as a “technological home run”. Could this also backfire? We investigate a simple South African case in which there might not be improvements in environmental performance: a sugar mill sells its bagasse, currently used at low efficiency to provide process heat, to an advanced biofuels producer, and buys an equivalent amount of coal without investing in efficiency improvements. Seven scenarios are generated, ranging from the status quo, where no bagasse is diverted, to 100% bagasse diversion, with one scenario including an energy efficiency improvement in the sugar mill. A consequential LCA is applied to the seven scenarios, covering global warming potential (GWP), non-renewable energy use, aquatic eutrophication and terrestrial acidification. A basic financial analysis of the proposed scenarios shows that they are realistic, with potentially lucrative returns. Results show that diverting bagasse without efficiency improvements from its current use to an ethanol bio-refinery would indeed backfire for all environmental impacts studied. The base case outperforms all the other scenarios, with the 100% bagasse diversion scenario emerging the worst. Investments into energy efficiency are therefore a precondition for diverting cellulosic residues into biofuel production.

Biofuels versus food production: Does biofuels production increase food prices?

Rapidly growing fossil energy consumption in the transport sector in the last two centuries caused problems such as increasing greenhouse gas emissions, growing energy dependency and supply insecurity. One approach to solve these problems could be to increase the use of biofuels. Preferred feedstocks for current 1st generation biofuels production are corn, wheat, sugarcane, soybean, rapeseed and sunflowers. The major problem is that these feedstocks are also used for food and feed production. The core objective of this paper is to investigate whether the recent increase of biofuels production had a significant impact on the development of agricultural commodity (feedstock) prices. The most important impact factors like biofuels production, land use, yields, feedstock and crude oil prices are analysed. The major conclusions of this analysis are: In recent years the share of bioenergy-based fuels has increased moderately, but continuously, and so did feedstock production, as well as yields. So far, no significant impact of biofuels production on feedstock prices can be observed. Hence, a co-existence of biofuel and food production seems possible especially for 2nd generation biofuels. However, sustainability criteria should be seriously considered. But even if all crops, forests and grasslands currently not used were used for biofuels production it would be impossible to substitute all fossil fuels used today in transport.

Economic challenges for the future relevance of biofuels in transport in EU countries

The discussion on the promotion of biofuels is ambiguous: on the one hand benefits like reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increase of energy supply security are expected, on the other hand low effectiveness with respect to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and high costs are being criticized. The core objective of this paper is to investigate the market prospects of biofuels for transport in the EU in a dynamic framework till 2030. The major results of this analysis are: (i) Under current policy conditions – mainly exemption of excise taxes – the economic prospects of 1st generation biofuels in Europe are rather promising; the major problems of 1st generation biofuels are lack of available land for feedstocks and the modest ecological performance; (ii) Large expectations are currently put into advanced 2nd generation biofuels production from lignocellulosic materials. With respect to the future costs development of 2nd generation biofuels, currently it can only be stated that in a favourable case by 2030 they will be close to the costs of 1st generation biofuels. However, because of the increasing prices for fossil gasoline and diesel in all international scenarios – given remaining tax exemptions – biofuels will become competitive already in the next few years.

The substitutive effect of biofuels on fossil fuels in the lower and higher crude oil price periods

Various biofuels, including bioethanol and biodiesel are technologically being considered replacements for fossil fuels, such as the conventional gasoline and diesel. This paper aims to measure whether economic substitutability can be generated during periods of higher and/or lower prices of crude oil. The empirical results of the bivariate EGARCH model prove that this substitutive effect was occurred during the higher crude oil price period due to the significant price spillover effects from crude oil futures to corn and soybean futures, indicating that the increase in food prices can be attributed to more consumption of biofuels. We suggest more extensive research in the search for fuel alternatives from inedible feedstock such as pongamia, jojoba, jatropha, especially the 2nd generation biofuel technologies such as algae-based biofuels.

A roadmap for biofuels…

Biofuels have been in the eye of the storm, in particular since 2008, when the food crisis was considered by many to be caused by the increased production of biofuels. Heavy criticism in public media made various governments, including the European Commission, reconsider their targets and ambitions for biofuels. A year after the climax of the food (and biofuels) crisis, the debate around biofuels has calmed down to quite an extent. The fierce debate has in the meantime translated into strong policy action: sustainability schemes for biomass and biofuel production are developed and implemented around the globe. Dozens of systems are developed by governments, NGOs and stakeholder initiatives, such as the various Roundtables. The Renewable Energy Directive of the European Commission contains one of the most comprehensive proposals to date and is backed by strong legislation: for biofuels, meeting sustainability criteria will be a prerequisite to be counting towards the obligatory targets. In addition, there is a heavy emphasis in Europe, the United States, but also key countries like China on the rapid development of second generation biofuels in order to further develop a sustainable biofuels industry that can cover a significant share of the worlds transport fuel needs. Such modified policies are also backed by the International Energy Agency’s Energy Technology Perspectives report, that projects a dominant role for 2nd generation biofuels in the medium (2030) term.

The REFUEL EU road map for biofuels in transport: Application of the project's tools to some short-term policy issues

The current hot debate on biofuels calls for a balanced and realistic long-term strategy for biofuels. The REFUEL project provides several ingredients for such a strategy. Analyses in this project indicate that domestically produced biofuels can cover a significant share of EU fuel demand in the coming decades, with the EU-12 new member states and Ukraine as most promising regions. This potential can be realised with residual streams and on existing agricultural land, without conversion of e.g. nature reserves. Second generation biofuels are essential for the long-term success of biofuels due to their superior performance in many ways. But generally, the key challenge for the near future would be how to enhance the development of biofuels in a responsible way, i.e. stimulating the production chains with the best performance, and preventing negative impacts e.g., by paying careful attention to possible system impacts of biofuel production such as indirect land use changes and rising food prices. Finally, 2nd generation biofuels require specific policy: the precursor role of 1st generation is overrated, both in technical terms as well as in their role as market precursors. When it comes to synergies, 2nd generation biofuels might benefit more from other developments in the energy sector, such as initiatives in co-firing of biomass for (heat and) power, than from 1st generation biofuels, also because of the public resistance that the latter induce.

Strategies for 2nd generation biofuels in EU – Co-firing to stimulate feedstock supply development and process integration to improve energy efficiency and economic competitiveness

Abstract The present biofuel policies in the European Union primarily stimulate 1st generation biofuels that are produced based on conventional food crops. They may be a distraction from lignocellulose based 2nd generation biofuels – and also from biomass use for heat and electricity – by keeping farmers' attention and significant investments focusing on first generation biofuels and the cultivation of conventional food crops as feedstocks. This article presents two strategies that can contribute to the development of 2nd generation biofuels based on lignocellulosic feedstocks. The integration of gasification-based biofuel plants in district heating systems is one option for increasing the energy efficiency and improving the economic competitiveness of such biofuels. Another option, biomass co-firing with coal, generates high-efficiency biomass electricity and reduces CO 2 emissions by replacing coal. It also offers a near-term market for lignocellulosic biomass, which can stimulate development of supply systems for biomass also suitable as feedstock for 2nd generation biofuels. Regardless of the long-term priorities of biomass use for energy, the stimulation of lignocellulosic biomass production by development of near term and cost-effective markets is judged to be a no-regrets strategy for Europe. Strategies that induce a relevant development and exploit existing energy infrastructures in order to reduce risk and reach lower costs, are proposed an attractive complement the present and prospective biofuel policies.

Assessment of biofuels supporting policies using the BioTrans model

The introduction of advanced, 2nd generation biofuels is a difficult to forecast process. Policies may impact the timing of their introduction and the future biofuels mix. The least-cost optimization model BioTrans supports policy analyses on these issues. It includes costs for all parts of the supply chain, and endogenous learning for all biofuels technologies, including cost reductions through scale. BioTrans shows that there are significant lock-in effects favouring traditional biofuels, and that the optimal biofuels mix by 2030 is path dependent. The model captures important barriers for the introduction of emerging technologies, thereby providing valuable quantitative information that can be used in analyses of biofuels supporting policies. It is shown that biodiesel from oil crops will remain a cost effective way of producing biofuels in the medium term at moderate target levels. Aiming solely at least-cost biofuel production is in conflict with a longer term portfolio approach on biofuels, and the desire to come to biofuels with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. Lowering the targets because of environmental constraints delays the development of 2nd generation biofuels, unless additional policy measures (such as specific sub targets for these fuels) are implemented.

Alternative energy development strategies for China towards 2030

The purposes, objectives and technology pathways for alternative energy development are discussed with the aim of reaching sustainable energy development in China. Special attention has been paid to alternative power and alternative vehicle fuels. Instead of limiting alternative energy to energy sources such as nuclear and renewable energy, the scope of discussion is extended to alternative technologies such as coal power with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), electric and hydrogen vehicles. In order to take account of the fact that China’s sustainable energy development involves many dimensions, a six-dimensional indicator set has been established and applied with the aim of comprehensively evaluating different technology pathways in a uniform way. The analysis reaches the following conclusions: (a) in the power sector, wind power, nuclear power and hydro power should be developed as much as possible, while R&D of solar power and coal power with CCS should be strengthened continuously for future deployment. (b) in the transportation sector, there is no foreseeable silver bullet to replace oil on a large scale within the time frame of 20 to 30 years. To ease the severe energy security situation, expedient choices like coal derived fuels could be developed. However, its scale should be optimized in accordance to the trade-off of energy security benefits, production costs and environmental costs. Desirable alternative fuels (or technologies) like 2nd generation biofuels and electrical vehicles should be the subject of intensive R&D with the objective to be cost effective as early as possible.

Starting into the future with a flexible raw material base

Biofuels are of rapidly growing interest for reasons of energy security, diversity, and sustainability – as well as for greenhouse gas mitigation. In recent years, the U.S. has enacted regulations – and adopted aggressive goals – to encourage increased usage of biofuels. Individual States (especially California) have taken even stronger positions with respect to biofuels. Initial efforts have focused mainly on ethanol, produced via fermentation of sugars from grains (especially corn). Today's R&D focus is on “2nd Generation Biofuels” that are produced from a variety of biomass feedstocks utilizing a wide range of conversion technologies. This paper summarizes policy and regulatory drivers for biofuels in the U.S., describes usage trends and projections, and highlights major R&D efforts to promote development and commercialization of 2nd Generation Biofuels. R&D is being conducted in many areas, including biomass resource assessment, development of new biomass feedstocks, improved conversion technologies, and integration of systems. Other important considerations include fuel quality and specifications, as well as requirements for blending, distribution, and storage. Considerable R&D, policy, and regulatory efforts are also focused on the energy and environmental consequences of biofuels. This includes not only direct emissions associated with vehicular uses, but also the fuels' life-cycle impacts with respect to total energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and multi-media effects. Due to the wide diversity of biomass feedstocks, conversion technologies, and systems integration approaches, the life-cycle impacts of biofuels can vary widely.

Europe lags, US leads 2nd-generation biofuels

Europe lags, US leads 2nd-generation biofuels

Biofuels in the U.S. – Challenges and Opportunities

Biofuels are of rapidly growing interest for reasons of energy security, diversity, and sustainability – as well as for greenhouse gas mitigation. In recent years, the U.S. has enacted regulations – and adopted aggressive goals – to encourage increased usage of biofuels. Individual States (especially California) have taken even stronger positions with respect to biofuels. Initial efforts have focused mainly on ethanol, produced via fermentation of sugars from grains (especially corn). Today's R&D focus is on “2nd Generation Biofuels” that are produced from a variety of biomass feedstocks utilizing a wide range of conversion technologies. This paper summarizes policy and regulatory drivers for biofuels in the U.S., describes usage trends and projections, and highlights major R&D efforts to promote development and commercialization of 2nd Generation Biofuels. R&D is being conducted in many areas, including biomass resource assessment, development of new biomass feedstocks, improved conversion technologies, and integration of systems. Other important considerations include fuel quality and specifications, as well as requirements for blending, distribution, and storage. Considerable R&D, policy, and regulatory efforts are also focused on the energy and environmental consequences of biofuels. This includes not only direct emissions associated with vehicular uses, but also the fuels' life-cycle impacts with respect to total energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and multi-media effects. Due to the wide diversity of biomass feedstocks, conversion technologies, and systems integration approaches, the life-cycle impacts of biofuels can vary widely.

Combining Fischer-Tropsch (FT) and Hydrocarbon Reactions under FT Reaction Conditions -- Catalyst and Reactor Studies with Co or Fe and Pt/ZSM-5

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) offers the potential to produce high-value transportation fuels or petrochemicals from biomass (``2nd generation biofuels"). Primary synthesis products contain mainly n-alkanes and n-alkenes, ranging from methane to high molecular weight waxes. Bifunctional catalysts, as used in petroleum refining, are capable of modifying hydrocarbon molecules. They are characterized by the presence of acidic sites, which provide the hydrocracking and isomerization functions, as well as metal sites, which provide hydro-/dehydrogenation functions, and thus avoid the formation of carbon. The present study addresses the combination of FT synthesis (with Co or Fe catalysts) and hydrocarbon modification reactions. Experimental results obtained in a dual layer configuration with Fe and Co catalysts and Pt/ZSM-5 indicate i) an increase of branched hydrocarbons in the gasoline range (C5-C10), ii) a decrease of alkene and alcohol yields, iii) partial hydrocracking of long chain hydrocarbon molecules leading to higher yields of gasoline and distillates, iv) nearly constant methane selectivity in comparison with the FT catalyst alone, and v) no significant catalyst deactivation. In addition, studies with 1-octene as the model compound were carried out, being mixed with synthesis gas H2/CO or with H2/Ar. The presence of CO decreases reaction rates of hydrogenation and hydrocracking, although all reactions still occur to a significant extent. For the conditions used in this study (1 MPa, 200-300 °C, 4000 kg s/m3), a significant change of hydrocarbon product composition with hydroprocessing catalyst functions added can be observed.

Rapeseed residues utilization for energy and 2nd generation biofuels

Lignocellulosic biomass is an interesting and necessary enlargement of the biomass used for the production of renewable biofuels. It is expected that second generation biofuels are more energy efficient than the ones of first generation, as a substrate that is able to completely transformed into energy. The present study is part of a research program aiming at the integrated utilization of rapeseed suitable to Greek conditions for biodiesel production and parallel use of its solid residues for energy and second generation biofuels production. In that context, fast pyrolysis at high temperature and fixed bed air gasification of the rapeseed residues were studied. Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic study were also carried out. The obtained results indicated that high temperature pyrolysis could produces higher yields of syngas and hydrogen production comparing to air fixed bed gasification.

Ultrasonic inspection devices: Branson Instrument Inc UK patent 1264424 (1972) filed 23 May 1968

The emerging biobased economy is causing shifts from mineral fossil oil based resources towards renewable resources. Because of market mechanisms, current and new industries utilising renewable commodities, will attempt to secure their supply of resources. Cellulose is among these commodities, where large scale competition can be expected and already is observed for the traditional industries such as the paper industry.Cellulose and lignocellulosic raw materials (like wood and non-wood fibre crops) are being utilised in many industrial sectors. Due to the initiated transition towards biobased economy, these raw materials are intensively investigated also for new applications such as 2nd generation biofuels and ‘green’ chemicals and materials production (Clark, 2007, Lange, 2007, Petrus and Noordermeer, 2006, Ragauskas et al., 2006, Regalbuto, 2009). As lignocellulosic raw materials are available in variable quantities and qualities, unnecessary competition can be avoided via the choice of suitable raw materials for a target application. For example, utilisation of cellulose as carbohydrate source for ethanol production (Kabir Kazi et al., 2010) avoids the discussed competition with easier digestible carbohydrates (sugars, starch) deprived from the food supply chain. Also for cellulose use as a biopolymer several different competing markets can be distinguished. It is clear that these applications and markets will be influenced by large volume shifts. The world will have to reckon with the increase of competition and feedstock shortage (land use/biodiversity) (van Dam, de Klerk-Engels, Struik, & Rabbinge, 2005).It is of interest – in the context of sustainable development of the bioeconomy – to categorize the already available and emerging lignocellulosic resources in a matrix structure. When composing such “cellulose resource matrix” attention should be given to the quality aspects as well as to the available quantities and practical possibilities of processing the feedstock and the performance in the end-application.The cellulose resource matrix should become a practical tool for stakeholders to make choices regarding raw materials, process or market. Although there is a vast amount of scientific and economic information available on cellulose and lignocellulosic resources, the accessibility for the interested layman or entrepreneur is very difficult and the relevance of the numerous details in the larger context is limited. Translation of science to practical accessible information with modern data management and data integration tools is a challenge.Therefore, a detailed matrix structure was composed in which the different elements or entries of the matrix were identified and a tentative rough set up was made. The inventory includes current commodities and new cellulose containing and raw materials as well as exotic sources and specialties. Important chemical and physical properties of the different raw materials were identified for the use in processes and products. When available, the market data such as price and availability were recorded. Established and innovative cellulose extraction and refining processes were reviewed. The demands on the raw material for suitable processing were collected. Processing parameters known to affect the cellulose properties were listed. Current and expected emerging markets were surveyed as well as their different demands on cellulose raw materials and processes.The setting up of the cellulose matrix as a practical tool requires two steps. Firstly, the reduction of the needed data by clustering of the characteristics of raw materials, processes and markets and secondly, the building of a database that can provide the answers to the questions from stakeholders with an indicative character. This paper describes the steps taken to achieve the defined clusters of most relevant and characteristic properties. These data can be expanded where required. More detailed specification can be obtained from the background literature and handbooks. Where gaps of information are identified, the research questions can be defined that will require further investigation.