Sustainable Production of Biofuels from Weedy Biomass and Other Unconventional Lignocellulose Wastes

The energy demand for different sectors is gradually escalating due to increase in population, urbanization and industrialization. Simultaneously, there is immense progression in the area of second generation biofuel for transportation sector. Inventors of automotive engines had envisioned farm-grown energy sources to play an important role in supplying fuel to run these vehicles. Maize, sugarcane and sugar beets are the main traditional substrates used for biofuel production. In Indian prospective, it is imperative to search for non-food feedstocks for long-term sustainability and economic viability of Indian bioethanol market. Hence, cellulosic materials such as unconventional agro-residues, fibrous crops and weedy biomass are attractive feedstock for bio-ethanol production. The excessive growth rate and wider adaptability of the weed biomass without any fertilizer input makes them a potential renewable source for ethanol production. The bioenergy production from these renewable resources can provide a higher degree of national energy security in an environment friendly, cost-effective and sustainable manner. However the data about biomass production, its availability and supply chain management options including transportations is still lacking. Moreover many potential weedy biomasses are mostly growing on community or degraded lands which make it difficult to collect the biomass for any commercial purposes. This chapter highlights the overview of unconventional fibres crops and weedy biomass as renewable resources for biofuel production.