Biorefineries - From biomass to value-added compounds

Curso de Formação

Ano Letivo 2025/2026

Due to the environmental problems resulting from the use of non-renewable raw materials such as, natural gas, coal and oil, it has become imperative to replace them with renewable raw materials.
The use of biomass allows not only the production of fuels (biofuels) but also the production of chemical compounds and materials of natural origin, which can replace in terms of functionality a variety of products obtained from non-renewable raw materials. Biomass is a source of renewable raw material available in large quantities, originating from organic matter such as vegetation, forestry, agricultural and farm waste, wood waste, vegetable oil and the biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste. However, biomass requires prior treatment before it can be used. This renewable raw material needs to be transformed into compounds that can be used to produce the desired products. Biorefineries arise in this context: transforming biomass into chemical compounds, materials and fuels (energy).
This course allows you to explore the different processes for valorising and transforming biomass in a biorefinery into materials (biomaterials), chemical compounds and energy (biofuels).