Advanced Technologies for Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilization Based on Carbonization

In the chemical and materials (steel) industries, which account for approximately 20% of CO2 emissions in our country, almost all raw materials are dependent on fossil resources. The “Advanced Technologies for Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilization Based on Carbonization” module focuses on solid lignocellulosic biomass, a renewable and carbon-neutral resource with vast potential that remains underutilized. It aims to develop a novel conversion technology that enables the co-production of key platform chemicals and carbon materials. By optimizing the conditions for carbonization, it is possible to selectively produce compounds such as anhydrous sugars and aromatic compounds, while also manufacturing various carbon materials such as activated carbon, graphite, coke, and carbon fibers. The goal is to develop a technology with productivity and economic viability comparable to traditional industrial processes. This project seeks to integrate and fuse knowledge from diverse fields, including chemical engineering, materials chemistry, catalytic chemistry, and analytical chemistry, with the aim of advancing biomass-based chemical industries and contributing to the creation of a decarbonized society through practical and scalable technologies.