Integrating bio hubs in biomass supply chains: Insights from a systematic literature review
Bio-hub facilities could become a key enabler in facilitating the effective mobilisation of bioresources on a large scale.
The role of bio-hubs in contribution to the overall resilience of biomass supply chains and ensure a more sustainable and cost-efficient approach to bioenergy production is described in the scientific paper, published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, based on a study carried out in the frame of IEA Bioenergy Task 43 (Biomass Supply in a Nature Positive Economy). The authors emphasize that the concept of ‘bio-hubs’ is still largely understudied. Exploring the advantages and challenges associated with bio-hub implementation further contributes to uncovering valuable insights on the efficiency and sustainability of biomass supply chains.
Biomass sources are geographically scattered, influenced by a variety of factors, and vary by location, type and feedstock quality. Depending on these aspects, different logistical and storage challenges arise. The dispersion of resources together with variability in feedstock and dispersion of demand points undermine economies of scales while risks of supply shortages are further increased. Consolidating biomass preprocessing and distribution activities in bio-hub facilities offers a sustainable and cost-efficient way of bringing biomass resources into a single location.
While bio-hubs can play central role in biomass supply chain, research in the literature is mainly confined to the decision-making process related to biomass suppliers and bioconversion facility. The study presents a systematic literature review to bridge the research gap on bio-hub implementation within biomass supply chains from the last ten years. A bio hub is defined as an intermediary location which connects biomass suppliers with end users such as biorefineries. Farmers and growers can deliver by-products for processing into value added commodities which are crucial for bio-based projects. As such, a variety of biomass types could be bought to a single location allowing to streamline processing and storage activities. The systematic literature review focuses on examining the integration of bio-hubs within biomass supply chains, shedding light on comprehensive considerations for scholars, policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking guidance in navigating the topic.
The results revealed that environmental and social aspects of bio-hub implementation require considerable attention. From the modeling perspective, findings illustrate the underutilization of integrated approaches to incorporate micro-level and macro-level information in decision-making.
Future research for biomass supply chains should include developing integrated models to ensure the feasibility of establishing bio-hubs while addressing operational level variability such as demand and lead time. More research should also be conducted on technical aspects of bio-hubs as well as timely fulfilment of biorefinery demands.
One of the potential challenges in fostering bio-hub implementation is the lack of frameworks to incentivize end-users to use more bioproducts and motivate stakeholders to invest in bio-based industries. Coordination mechanisms should be implemented to create trade-offs between objectives of individual actors while improving the performance of biomass supply chains as a whole.
Authors: Mahsa Valipour, Fereshteh Magskheri, Bruno Gagnon, Robert Prinz, Dan Bergström, Mark Brown, Chun Wang (2024), Integrating bio hubs in biomass supply chains: Insights from a systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Prdocution, 467 (2024) 142930