Chemicals and Fuels Production from Agro Residues: A Biorefinery Approach

Alternative fuel production technology in order to combat the present scenario of climate change issues has been in the transition stage of generating high-value low volume chemicals, fuels and low-value high volume bulk products (biofuels). This concept of biorefinery is the future of biomass processing technologies where complete utilization of biomass and zero release of waste can be achieved. The agro residue biorefinery aims in sustainable approach which provides a good solution for sustainable ways of utilizing agricultural residues. Agro residues are by-products of agricultural crop production and processing, which are abundantly available at lower price. Agro residues are one of the major resources of unexploited potential lignocellulosic feedstocks. It includes straws, leaves and plant materials left in the field after harvesting of the crop. Its characteristics would vary with crops, species and environmental conditions. Annual agro residue production potential in India is ca. 550 MT. Currently, most of the residues are underutilized or burnt in situ, creating serious environmental pollutions. In order to utilize and effective disposal of these wastes, several methods are tried for tapping the energy/bioproducts from various crop residues via biochemical or thermochemical conversion routes. Biorefinery technologies can offer a platform for production of high-value chemicals and fuels from these residues, which are value-added products as well as provide more income for agriculturists. This chapter aims in bringing out sources of agro residues, the current state of the art of biomass processing and conversion viable technologies, and recent developments in the biorefinery of agro residues, and finally sheds light on commercialization of agro residue biorefinery.