Biorefining Leads the Path to Sustainable Development

Sustainability has now become a great issue for many countries around the world. Most nations are well aware  that the non-renewable energy resources that Mother Nature has provided us with will run out in the near future. This is particularly a concern for Canada as we are engaged in producing and consuming energy to fuel economic growth. Despite the fact that it is the fifth largest energy producer in the world, ranks second to Saudi Arabia in crude oil reserves, and has vast coal and natural gas resources, these are bound to be exhausted unless sustainability measures are implemented.    

Biorefining—the process of converting biomass into bioenergy for fuel, power and/or heat, and other bio-based products—provides one of the answers to the issue of sustainability in Canada. So what makes biorefining so critical for Canada’s sustainable development? Biorefining is not really a radical idea to start with. In fact, the biorefinery facility can be likened to a petroleum refinery in terms of function. However in a petroleum refinery, petroleum is used to produce various fuels and other products, while in a biorefinery, biomass feedstock is the source for all the biofuels and bio-based materials that are produced. This is one of the primary reasons why biorefining leads to a more sustainable Canada.

The biomass feedstock that serves as the raw material for the production of bio-products comes from existing agricultural and forestry resources and even waste materials. Food scraps and animal waste can be biorefined to form nutrient products that are integrated into fertilizer. They can also be converted into biogas. Instead of throwing these away and adding more waste to the  land, these can be sent to a biorefinery facility to be made into a useful product for our crops. Another advantage, especially where animal carcasses are concerned, is the fact that biorefining can make them into useful biofuels while destroying the infectious pathogens that can cause various kinds of diseases in other animals—something that happens if bones and meat are simply left to rot in garbage. Crops like triticale and other perennial crops can also be used as potential biomass feedstock. Due to the demand for these plants as biofuel sources, the agriculture sector also benefits which helps in the quest for sustainable development.

Of course, biorefining is only one way to promote sustainability in Canada. Other methods like utilizing hydropower, solar energy, and wind power should also be used to attain success in this quest. In terms of the appeal of  biorefining, it has the ability to reduce the production of waste and encourage agricultural growth and development. There is no doubt that biorefining should lead the path for a more sustainable Canada.