Negosentro | Bioresources: Definition and Examples | Over the past years, the need for sustainable energy resources has become stronger than ever. As a result, more companies are finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint to delay the effects of climate change. However, the process is slower and more time-consuming than anticipated.
A lot of awareness and education is needed to understand the alternative we have regarding energy use. For instance, bioresources are turning out to be a great method to generate power without the fear of carbon emission. Europe, especially, is finding ways to increase biomass use for power generation.
Many climate litigation pathways also look to bioresources as the most straightforward and affordable way to reduce emissions across sectors as diverse as power generation, mobility, and industry. But for people still unaware of these changes, the first question that pops up is – what exactly are bioresources?
In this blog, we will discuss in detail the definition of bioresources. We have also shared a few examples and categories of bioresources. Keep reading to know all:
What are Bioresources?
Bioresources or biological resources refer to all the living-based matter that results directly or indirectly from photosynthesis. These are non-fossil biogenic matter that is renewable and can be used sustainably.
Bioresources are the living landscape, including the plants, animals, and other aspects of nature that occur on farmland, forests, and other natural lands.
Biomass is also a part of it which comes from ecosystems such as plants, animals, micro-organisms, or biowastes. They may have direct or indirect use for humans. Since they can be used as alternatives to fossil energies and are renewable, bioresources are often used as a source of energy.
In addition to being renewable, they also positively impact the environment since they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That being said, it is crucial to understand that not all bioresources are sustainable and good from a carbon emissions point of view. This is why proper research and investment must be made to understand how to utilize bioresources to reduce the harmful effects and maximize the benefits.
Examples of Bioresources
To understand bioresources more, we have tried to scoop out some examples of bioresources. But first, we need to understand diverse types of bioresources. The examples would be defined within these certain categories.
There are four categories of bioresources:
1. Primary Bioresources:
These types of bioresources are generated for a specific function in mind, mostly in terms of food. They are also of two types: Processed and non-processed. The former includes bioresources that are processed to obtain more value-added products such as paper or food. Non-processed primary bioresources refer to plants and slaughtered animals.
Examples: Grain, fish, potato, algae, wood, and bamboo
2. Secondary Bioresources:
As the name suggests, secondary bioresources are obtained from the by-products or the residues during primary processing. They are often derived through industrial processes and produced in large quantities. However, they often contain valuable materials that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Examples: Fruit peels or food residue that can be used to produce biogas
3. Tertiary Bioresources:
These are those bioresources that were also leftovers of the virgin materials. However, these residues are smaller in quantities and need to have valuable materials as compared to secondary bioresources. They may also get degenerate before they arrive at the utilization factory.
Examples: Bark, other woody biomass, and black liquor
4. Quaternary Bioresources:
Quaternary bioresources are formed after a product has been utilized. The quaternary bioresources may take hours, months, and even years to generate. They are further divided into three categories based on the time they take to generate: short, medium, and long-term.
Examples: Urine and excrement (short term), packaging materials (medium), waste wood (long term)
Leverage The Benefits of Bioresources
The above-mentioned points give a good start to expanding the knowledge base on bioresources. It is after understanding the basics one can begin to understand how they can utilize bioresources to deal with carbon emissions and become more sustainable. If you are looking to leverage the benefits of bioresources for your business, we recommend getting in touch with known suppliers.
