Emerging biorefinery markets: global context and prospects for Latin America

The production of chemicals from renewable raw materials is expected to take place in a biorefinery system. This review provides a historical background of previous efforts to establish chemical production based on renewable raw materials. Considering the current efforts and strategies to develop biorefineries in Europe and the USA the prospects for Latin America are explored. Even though some Latin American governments have started legislating for the inclusion of renewable energies, there is little evidence they have envisaged plans to explore the development of biorefineries. Developing biorefineries in the region would require an assessment of current agricultural means of production with a view to taking advantage of the varied climate and wide range of crops that could serve as raw materials.