Abstract

SACRAMENTO-RIVERO, J.C. et al. A diagnostic study on the development of biorefineries in Mexico. Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.3, pp.261-283. ISSN 1665-2738.

Biorefineries are facilities comprised of biomass-transformation equipment and processes, capable of producing a range of products including biofuels, energy, platform chemicals and final-use products. The biorefinery concept will be the technological building block of a new biomass-based economy. This article describes the current challenges and opportunities on the development and implementation of biorefineries on a global level, as well as opportunity areas on R&D, aiming to recognise the current and future scenarios of the energetic and economic system in Mexico. A literature review on the energy and food crisis and on the development strategies, production and use of biofuels and biomass over the last decades allowed to make a diagnosis of the current global and national energy situation. A SWOT analysis was performed providing e basis for the formulation of contingency strategies before the risks and problems idiosyncratic to biorefineries. Mexico was identified as being in a privileged position due to its vast natural resources and good capacity for technology innovation, despite of an annual reduction on the national science-and-technology budget and a lack of a national strategy for prioritising the development of biorefineries.

Keywords : biorefinery; sustainability; biofuels; renewable chemicals; platform chemicals; SWOT analysis.

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