Page 60 - FoodFocusThailand No.237 December 2025

SOURCE
SOURCE OF ENGINEER OF ENGINEER

Unlocking the Value of Biomass:

Transforming Industrial Waste

into Sustainable Bio-based Products

Biomass refers to organic materials derived from plants, animals, and other living organisms that can be
used as energy sources or transformed into valuable bio-based products. Large quantities of biomass
are generated across the agricultural, industrial, and household sectors, ranging from sugarcane leaves,
cassava residues, bagasse, rice husks, and rice straw to wood scraps, livestock manure, food waste, and
even seaweed. These residues not only serve as significant carbon sinks that help reduce atmospheric CO
2
but also provide opportunities to replace fossil fuels when apropriated processes are adapted to convert
biomass into renewable energy.

Main Products Derived from Biomass enzymes required for the transesterification process. Biodiesel
Management Using Biological Methods can replace petroleum diesel in machinery, transportation, and
1. Bioenergy is one of the most widely studied agricultural equipment.
outcomes of biomass processing. It plays a central role in • Biomass Pellets are formed by compressing biomass into
producing renewable energy that can help countries reduce small pellets to increase density and combustion properties.
dependence on fossil fuels, with examples including: They are easy to transport and can be used as a renewable
• Liquid Biofuels energy source in the industrial sector.
- Ethanol is produced by fermenting sugars or starch-rich 2. Bio-based Products and Biochemicals: Biomass
crops such as cassava, sugarcane, and corn using yeast or is considered an excellent raw material for the production
bacteria. Ethanol can be used as fuel , and when blended of products and chemicals. Many studies indicate that this
with gasoline (such as E10 or E20), it reduces the need for process is more environmentally friendly than chemical
imported petroleum and helps lower oil prices. processes. However, other factors should also be analyzed,
- Butanol is produced through a fermentation process for example, a thorough life cycle assessment of the product
similar to ethanol and can be used as a fuel or as a chemical to evaluate environmental impacts and provide scientifically
feedstock. validated evidence, including:
- Biodiesel can be produced through fermentation • Bioplastics are produced from biodegradable biomass
or altered from vegetable oils such as palm oil or algae. sources, such as cassava starch, sugars, or cellulose derived
Microorganisms play an important role in generating the from plants, which are used to manufacture packaging,

60 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND DEC 2025

25/11/2568 BE 08:03
58-61_Source of Engineer_��������.indd 60 25/11/2568 BE 08:03
58-61_Source of Engineer_��������.indd 60