Biomass Promises: A Bumpy Road to a Renewable Economy

Biomass conversion strategies have been taking hold of the scientific community agenda in the evolution of renewable chemical and energy industries. Nonetheless, biomass conversion yet presents challenges due to its structural complexity and high reactivity of the oxygen functionalities. This review aims to point out the main encountered difficulties in the conversion of plant-derived feedstocks and by-products/waste, with a focus on catalytic approaches and efforts of the NanoVal research group into contributing to a potential future bio-based economy. Keywords: Biomass valorization, heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic materials, carbon materials, bio-sugars, carbon nanotube.