Biomass competition analysis Sample Clauses

Biomass competition analysis. Biomass potentials for biorefining in Europe The estimations related to future use of biomass and related land use include many assump- tions and uncertainties, and can be considered as indicative only. According to a review of literature, approximately 20 – 30 Mha of former arable land could become available by 2030 in Europe for growing biorefinery feedstocks. Additionally there is growth potential in the use of forest and agro residues compared to current use levels. Agro residues and primary forest residues sum up to about 1/3 of the total EU biomass potential in 2030 /Xxxxxxxx et al. 2012/. However, the available biomass would be entirely needed or even insufficient to meet the European bioenergy targets /Xxxxxxxxx et al. 2010/, /Xxxxxxxx et al. 2012/. Hence, imports from outside EU are required. According to estimations presented by /Xxxxxxxx et al. 2008/ the production of bio-based chemicals from fermentable sugar made of starch could require 1.0 – 38.2 Mha of land in 2050. In case lignocellulose would be used as raw material, the corresponding land require- ments would be 0.4 – 15.6 Mha. Hence, even if lignocellulose would be used as a feedstock, with a high market share and production of bio-based chemicals, the land requirements would use half or more of the land that is estimated to become available in Europe by 2030. But, most of the land demand for biopolymers would most likely occur outside Europe, close to production sites that are mainly located in Asia and South America. This might relieve the land use pressures in Europe, but lead to increasing competition for land in other parts of the world. Considering the estimated future growth potential in the markets of bio-based chemi- cals and biopolymers, together with the rising demands for food and bioenergy, high pres- sures related to land use can be expected in future. Regional differences Results from all the reviewed studies indicate big differences in regional availability of bio- mass resources. Currently, the competition, demand and price for biomass can, in many cases, be defined locally, which can cause big varieties between local conditions and country or Europe scale assessments /Alakangas et al. 2011/, /Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2012/. It is important to notice that much of the European biomass potential is located in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, due to higher expectations in yield increases and large agricultural are- as. But, most of the current or planned biorefinery sites in Europe are...