The increasing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has intensified the need for efficient and environmentally friendly biomass-conversion technologies. Among these, thermochemical processes, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal liquefaction, have emerged as promising pathways for transforming lignocellulosic and other organic waste materials into valuable biofuels and biochemicals. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of advanced thermochemical conversion and catalytic conversion methods, focusing on their operational mechanisms, catalytic enhancements, and product yields. The efficiency, environmental impact, and economic feasibility of various thermochemical platforms, including recent developments in catalyst design and process-integration strategies, are compared, and innovative approaches to optimize hydrogen generation, improve carbon efficiency, and minimize undesirable byproducts through tailored reaction conditions and bifunctional catalytic systems are explored. Recent advances as well as the current challenges related to feedstock variability, process scalability, and system sustainability are highlighted. By identifying critical research gaps, this study provides strategic insights aimed at guiding future improvements in thermochemical biomass utilization for clean energy production within a circular economy framework.
Almousa et al. (2026) studied this question.