Preface

Biobased products have been the next “big thing” for about two decades. Products have higher profit margins than biofuels. The market volumes of products are more amenable to biobased feedstocks and biobased products. Commercializing Biobased Products: Opportunities, Challenges, Benefits, and Risks is a comprehensive review of the state of the industry. The book covers the process from feedstock sustainability to conversions and separations. In addition, the book highlights several emerging biobased products. Going beyond other volumes on the subject, Commercializing Biobased Products evaluates sustainability factors, supply chain factors, policy, and economics. Beyond a review of the technology, this volume exposes the reader to the full spectrum of opportunities, challenges, benefits, and risks of a robust biobased product market. The chapter contributors come from the US, Europe, and Asia and represent academia, government, national laboratories, and industry. The editor has a joint appointment in academia and a national laboratory and has worked extensively with government and industry.

Seth W. Snyder

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

McCormick School of Engineering

Northwestern University