Recent Developments in the Conversion of Biomass to Renewable Fuels and Chemicals

The rapid and ongoing increase in consumption of petroleum for transportation fuels, chemicals and energy is not sustainable. Therefore, development of technology that uses agricultural, animal, forestry and municipal solid waste as renewable feedstock is critical to the US economy and national security, and presents a significant opportunity for new catalysis, chemistry and process research. This paper will outline recent developments on the conversion of biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals with emphasis on new opportunities for thermochemical catalysis.