Biorefinery: A comprehensive concept for the sociotechnical transition toward bioeconomy

Abstract Bioeconomy has been presented as an alternative for sustainable development. Public policies and national bioeconomy programs have reserved an essential role for biorefineries. However, the misinterpretation of what a biorefinery might be can lead to the adoption of biased public policies, restricting its potential. Therefore, the concept of biorefinery requires a conceptual definition appropriate for the context of bioeconomy. This article aims to propose a contemporary concept for biorefinery, adjusted to the bioeconomy perspective. An epistemological review of the prefix “bio” and the base “refine” was carried out. The biorefinery concepts established in the literature were revisited and grouped by their focus on inputs, processes, or bioproducts. The required concept of biorefinery in the bioeconomy context is discussed. Our updated concept defines biorefinery as “a physical, chemical, or biological process which purifies, separates, refines, or transforms elements constituting biological assets from the kingdoms Monera, Protista, Plantae, Animalia, or Fungi, originating from the terrestrial or oceanic environment, in bioproducts for final use or that serve as raw material for other bioproducts.” Adopting this concept can promote appropriate public policies for a broader set of biorefineries and pave the way for the sociotechnical transition toward bioeconomy.