Preface

Bioeconomy, as a new branch of industrial processes, was created as a result of the analysis of methods of using raw materials, technological processes in the use of these raw materials, and receipt of various types of material goods. Without questioning the legitimacy of the need to produce many products, technologies that use natural resources pose a serious burden to the environment. For these reasons, the concept of bioeconomy as a new industrial branch was introduced in 2012. Bioeconomy is based mainly on raw materials of biological origin, including so-called waste biomass. By definition, bioeconomy should include a wide range of raw materials and the development of technology for their processing, with a minimum environmental burden. Initially, it was assumed that bioeconomy technologies would completely eliminate the production of waste. According to recent research and views, it is theoretically possible to significantly reduce post-production waste in bioeconomic processes. However, known technological processes using biomass as a raw material require an energy supply. This, in turn, causes emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, regardless of whether this energy comes from coal and oil, or from the use of biofuels and bioliquids. It is also possible to use other renewable energy sources, such as wind, water, or solar energy, but the LCA analysis of these sources also shows emissions in this cycle. Therefore, complete elimination of all waste, including waste heat as one of the forms of mass and energy exchange, from technological processes or the possibility of their full use is not possible. Therefore, bioeconomic processes require in-depth analysis taking into account such criteria as: rational use of available resources of raw materials, the necessary environmental needs for these raw materials, progressive climate change, preservation of biodiversity, soil condition, water, and air. These criteria fall into the category of environmental criteria. In the category of social criteria, we can distinguish: access to clean air, access to food, preservation of soil ownership, process transparency and access to information, employment, and health protection. In the economic criteria category, there is one important criterion regarding the cost and efficiency of bioeconomic processes. The rational use of available raw materials requires the development and implementation of appropriate technologies that should take into account environmental, social, and economic criteria. For this reason, the need to develop a book with the working title "Bioeconomy" that covers the basics and legitimacy of conducting activities in this field was recognized. This book organizes definitions and presents the updated research in the scope of possibilities of implementing bioeconomic processes. Unfortunately, the degree of research development in the scope of these processes is still at the level of discussion in the area of bioeconomy development strategy, and even concepts and their interpretations. Out of many proposed chapters, nine studies were selected. These nine chapters fall within the scope of criteria covering bioeconomic processes. The accepted chapters cover various but partial aspects of these processes. This resulted in the title of the book presented being "Elements of Bioeconomy". Due to various aspects of bioeconomic processes covered in the accepted chapters, it was impossible to divide the content of the monograph into relevant thematic sections.

**II**

**Chapter 9 157**

Biotechnology in Agricultural Policies of Sub-Saharan Africa

*by Joel W. Ochieng and Anthony Ananga*

The first chapter is the introductory chapter. This chapter presents the general concept of bioeconomy, its origins, and planned effects. The possibility of obtaining the status of bioeconomy as a completely circular economy has been critically discussed.

Chapter two deals with life cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool for implementing sustainable development principles in bioeconomic processes. This chapter also presents examples of LCA analysis for bulky waste.

The third chapter concerns the analysis of a very important group of processes in bioeconomy. These processes fall within the concept of biorefineries as a basic element of biorefinery technologies and lead to the production of biofuels through the WtL and WtE processes. The authors provide an overview of these processes.

The technological processes of biomass transformation, enabling its further use as a raw material, require many complex preparatory processes. In chapter four, the authors review the processes of enzymatic biomass transformation, enabling sustainable energy recovery to obtain biofuels or bioliquids.

In the fifth chapter, the authors have analyzed the use of agricultural waste as raw material in developing countries. These processes can also significantly improve the purity of water in these countries.

Chapter six covers the analysis of the possibility of using biosorbents as materials that enable effective recovery of metals from waste, mainly from printed circuits. The research part presents the possibility of recovering gold (I) from these circuits using appropriate biosurfacants.

The seventh chapter presents the possibilities of using digital solutions in rationalization of forest management. The use of digital techniques can allow stock assessment, timber demand planning, and real-time order status tracking. This can improve the sustainability of forest management.

Chapters eight and nine cover, respectively, the analysis of the possibilities of developing the bioeconomy in Spain and a review of biotechnological processes, mainly in the field of cultivation for bioeconomic purposes, implemented in sub-Saharan Africa. The choice of bioeconomy countries is not accidental and allows for comparison of the bioeconomy status in a developed country and in developing countries.

The state of advanced research on bioeconomy, especially technologies in this area, is at an early stage. I hope that it will be possible to return to the initial intention of the publishing house and soon develop a book covering all the conditions of bioeconomic processes, taking into account all environmental, technical, and socioeconomic aspects.

On behalf of the authors, I thank Ms. Sandra Maljavac, Author Service Manager at IntechOpen, for her great commitment and patience in managing this project. This led to the publication of this important book.

**V**

I also thank Dr Piotr Wieczorek from the Automotive Industry Institute for the verification of the English versions of the materials contained in this book.

Łukasiewicz R&D Network – Automotive Industry Institute,

**Krzysztof Biernat**

Warsaw, Poland

Professor,

I devote this book to the memory of my wife Danuta.

I also thank Dr Piotr Wieczorek from the Automotive Industry Institute for the verification of the English versions of the materials contained in this book.

I devote this book to the memory of my wife Danuta.

**Krzysztof Biernat** Professor, Łukasiewicz R&D Network – Automotive Industry Institute, Warsaw, Poland

**IV**

countries.

economic aspects.

discussed.

processes.

The first chapter is the introductory chapter. This chapter presents the general concept of bioeconomy, its origins, and planned effects. The possibility of obtaining the status of bioeconomy as a completely circular economy has been critically

Chapter two deals with life cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool for implementing sustainable development principles in bioeconomic processes. This chapter also

The third chapter concerns the analysis of a very important group of processes in bioeconomy. These processes fall within the concept of biorefineries as a basic element of biorefinery technologies and lead to the production of biofuels through the WtL and WtE processes. The authors provide an overview of these

The technological processes of biomass transformation, enabling its further use as a raw material, require many complex preparatory processes. In chapter four, the authors review the processes of enzymatic biomass transformation, enabling

In the fifth chapter, the authors have analyzed the use of agricultural waste as raw material in developing countries. These processes can also significantly improve the

Chapter six covers the analysis of the possibility of using biosorbents as materials that enable effective recovery of metals from waste, mainly from printed circuits. The research part presents the possibility of recovering gold (I) from these circuits

The seventh chapter presents the possibilities of using digital solutions in rationalization of forest management. The use of digital techniques can allow stock assessment, timber demand planning, and real-time order status tracking. This can

Chapters eight and nine cover, respectively, the analysis of the possibilities of developing the bioeconomy in Spain and a review of biotechnological processes, mainly in the field of cultivation for bioeconomic purposes, implemented in sub-Saharan Africa. The choice of bioeconomy countries is not accidental and allows for comparison of the bioeconomy status in a developed country and in developing

The state of advanced research on bioeconomy, especially technologies in this area, is at an early stage. I hope that it will be possible to return to the initial intention of the publishing house and soon develop a book covering all the conditions of bioeconomic processes, taking into account all environmental, technical, and socio-

On behalf of the authors, I thank Ms. Sandra Maljavac, Author Service Manager at IntechOpen, for her great commitment and patience in managing this project. This

presents examples of LCA analysis for bulky waste.

sustainable energy recovery to obtain biofuels or bioliquids.

purity of water in these countries.

using appropriate biosurfacants.

improve the sustainability of forest management.

led to the publication of this important book.

**1**

**Chapter 1**

*Krzysztof Biernat*

depletion and environmental impact.

• Advanced transport fuels

• Food and feed ingredients

• Chemicals

• Materials

• Energy

into a wide range of products of biological origin such as:

**1. Introduction**

Introductory Chapter: Objectives

As a result of the review of the implementations and research works conducted in many countries aimed at intensifying the processes of using RES, it turned out that these works are dispersed and do not bring the expected effect, both in the environmental aspect and in terms of energy conversion savings. For this reason, the vision of an industry based on raw materials of biological origin was created in the European Union, which also included waste substances from primary and secondary processes of biomass utilization and processing, as defined in Directive No. 28. The implementation of this vision should lead to the transition toward the so-called "post-oil" society, by clearly separating economic growth from resource

After consultations conducted in the member states, the need to separate a new industrial branch defined as a bio-based industry ("Bio-Based Industries") [1] was defined, which should strive to optimize land use and food safety through sustainable, efficient (effective) raw materials and to a large extent limit the amount of waste generated and industrial processing of the European renewable raw materials

As a result, "bio-industry," which is one of the core elements of the EU economy

The bioeconomy program for Europe is going to be an evolutionary program. It is planned to develop the so-called value chains, whose implementation will eventually lead to the so-called biorefinery, which will process biomass in a comprehensive and waste-free manner. Thus, the most important technological, political, and market challenges will be before the commercialization of innovative solutions on a full scale. These challenges cannot be overcome by individual companies or the dispersed industry, so a systemic approach to the entire biomass management

known as "bioeconomy," will play an important role in stimulating sustainable growth and making Europe more competitive through the reindustrialization and revitalization of rural areas, thus providing tens of thousands of jobs in the areas of

research, development, and production over the next decade.

and Scope of Bioeconomy
