Chemical Engineering Transactions

SPECIAL ISSUE

Advanced Biomass Conversion and Circular Biorefineries for Sustainable Fuels, Materials and Energy Systems

DEADLINE for PAPER SUBMISSION is FEBRUARY 27, 2027

Background and Motivation

Biomass and biogenic residues are expected to play an important role in the transition towards low-carbon energy and production systems, provided that their use is based on sustainable feedstocks, efficient conversion technologies and robust life-cycle performance.

The 2026 International Conference on Biomass (IConBM 2026) highlighted the rapid evolution of the field, from thermochemical and biochemical conversion to circular biorefineries, bio-based products, resource recovery and integration with hydrogen, renewable energy and carbon-management strategies.

Scope

This Special Issue of Chemical Engineering Transactions aims to collect original research and authoritative reviews on advanced process engineering approaches for the sustainable valorisation of biomass and biomass-derived residues.

Particular attention will be given to technologies and system solutions that improve carbon efficiency, resource efficiency, product quality, process integration and industrial scalability.

Topics of Interest

  • Sustainable biomass resources, residual feedstocks, characterization, pretreatment and supply chains.
  • Thermochemical conversion: combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction, hydrothermal processes, microwave-assisted conversion, biochar and biocarbon.
  • Biochemical conversion, anaerobic digestion, biogas and biomethane, fermentation and microalgal processes.
  • Sustainable liquid and gaseous biofuels, SAF, renewable fuels, syngas and biohydrogen.
  • Integrated biorefineries, cascading use of biomass, bio-based chemicals, materials and polymers.
  • Catalysis, process intensification, modelling, simulation, optimization, scale-up and digital tools.
  • Integration with renewable electricity, hydrogen, CCUS and nutrient/resource recovery.
  • Life-cycle assessment, carbon footprint, exergy and techno-economic analysis, process safety, sustainability assessment and deployment strategies.

Submission Information

Original research papers and review papers are welcome.

Contributions from IConBM 2026 participants and from the wider international research and industrial community are welcome. All manuscripts will undergo the standard peer-review procedure of Chemical Engineering Transactions.

Guest Editors of the Special Issue

Prof. Leonardo Tognotti

University of Pisa

Leonardo Tognotti is Full Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Pisa. His research focuses on bioenergy and biofuels, biomass thermochemical conversion, combustion and gasification, industrial energy systems, circular economy, environmental impact and sustainability. He has authored over 200 publications and coordinated national and European research projects on energy and sustainable process engineering.

Prof. Viatcheslav Kafarov

Universidad Industrial de Santander

Prof. Viatcheslav Kafarov is Director of the Center for Sustainable Development in Industry and Energy and Professor at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering of Universidad Industrial de Santander. His research covers first-, second- and third-generation biofuels, sustainable development, life-cycle assessment and energy transition. He has participated in several international projects and is the author or co-author of 11 books, 19 book chapters, three patents and more than 100 scientific articles.

Prof. Rubens Maciel Filho

State University of Campinas

Rubens Maciel Filho is Full Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering of the State University of Campinas. His main research areas include modelling, computer-aided design and optimization of chemical, biochemical and electrochemical processes, with particular emphasis on green processes and biorefineries. His work also covers bioethanol, fermentation by-products, CO2 valorisation and advanced materials for medical and renewable-energy applications.