The Biorefinery Paradigm: Technologies, Feedstocks, and Retrofitting for Future Sustainable Energy

Biorefineries offer a sustainable approach to producing fuels, chemicals, food, and feed from biomass, presenting a viable strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biorefinery concept, with a particular focus on its integrated conversion processes, classification pathways, and the potential for retrofitting existing fossil fuel refineries. Emphasis is placed on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, home to some of the world’s largest hydrocarbon processing infrastructures, as a strategic case study for deploying biorefinery technologies. This review presents the latest trends in integrated biorefinery configurations and the potential for upgrading to drop-in fuels. It examines conventional biorefineries in the GCC, outlines their processing capacities, and explores suitable biomass feedstocks that thrive under the region’s high-temperature and high-salinity conditions. By highlighting both technological advancements and regional opportunities, this study underscores the potential for leveraging existing infrastructure in oil-rich nations to facilitate the transition toward sustainable bioenergy systems.