New report from Zero Waste Scotland shows the Scottish biorefining potential
Late last month, Zero Waste Scotland published
an interesting report entitled “Biorefining
Potential for Scotland” which is a detailed insight into the circular economy
opportunities for biowastes generated in Scotland. This study rises one of the
challenges proposed by the “The
Biorefinery Roadmap for Scotland” published by Scottish Enterprise in 2015: mapping
the wastes, by-products and agricultural residues that are, or which could be,
available as feedstock for a biorefining process. It is important to bear in
mind that the roadmap set out the key actions required to identify the barriers
and risks faced by companies and potential investors to enable the more established
biorefinery technologies in Scotland. The study is also aligned with the Scottish
Government’s circular economy strategy (Making Things Last)
which identifies priorities for recovering value from biological waste.
Figure 1. Front cover of the report
The report shows the extent of opportunity for
development of Scottish business in biorefining. Some highlights are the
following:
- Scotland is well placed to develop
biorefinery facilities given the coordinated approach and sufficient support
from policymakers and funding bodies.
- The data shows a number of rural and coastal
areas where bioresources arise in high volumes. This creates the opportunity
for decentralised production facilities which can provide new income and
employment in those areas.
- There are 27 million tons of bioresources (four
key material groups: waste, by-products, agricultural residues and wastewater
sludge) arising every year in Scotland which could be turned into high value
chemicals, biofuels and other renewable products.
- Significant losses are estimated to occur in
Scottish supply chains for potatoes and carrots. 66,000 tons of potatoes go
unused or are landfilled each year, amounting to a 27 M£ economic loss. The
equivalent figures for carrots are 68,000 tons and 27 M£.
The publication of the report coincides with the
launch of a new support service delivered by Scottish Enterprise. The Scottish
Bio-Resource Support Service provides data on type, quantity and location of
bioresources available in Scotland. The service will also help companies to
learn the range of support and funding available.
