Topic Sheet: Advancing Industrial Biorefineries through Technology Innovation, Industrial Symbiosis, and Decision Support Systems

Topic Sheet no 25, September 2026, based on the final reports from Subtasks 1-3 in Task XI – Industry-based Biorefineries towards Sustainability. Click for download

Industrial biorefineries are advanced facilities that convert biomass into a wide range of bio-based products, including biofuels, biochemicals, electricity, and heat, on a commercial scale. As enablers of sustainable resource management and decarbonization, they are a cornerstone in the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Integrated biorefineries can strengthen regional economies, supporting resource efficiency, energy security, and resilient supply chains. Advancing circular bioeconomy strategies reduces waste, emissions, and dependence on fossil carbon, delivering both environmental and socio-economic benefits. The future of sustainable biorefineries now depends less on discovering new technologies and more on improving decision-making, industrial integration, and deployment at scale.

Within the IETS TCP, Task XI, has carried out and concluded work in this area. The final reports are now published.

More information about this Task is available at: Task XI – Industry-based Biorefineries towards Sustainability

For more information, please contact:

Subtask Managers
Bettina Muster and Philipp Petermeier, AEE, Austria
Isabel Cabrita and Jorge Costa, ISEC Lisboa, Portugal

or Task Manager  Mouloud Amazouz, CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada