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publication A Review of Biomass in the Bioeconomy: Availability, Competing Uses and Obstacles

This study assesses the availability, competing uses and obstacles of biomass across seven countries.

Published: 2026

Authors: J. Ecuru, J. von Braun, H. Baumüller, M. Kassie, A. Z. Ayalew, P. N. Nyangau, F. Schilling, S. Nsabimana, J. Martinez, H. Chavarria, W. Akpalu, A. Gulati, S. Rao, M. Nalisa, F. Blakeway, B. Durham, M. Lubwama

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Considering resource depletion and population pressures, the demand for bio-based materials is set to rise, intensifying competition for biomass across sectors such as food, energy, construction, and industrial production. To ensure that food security is not compromised and environmental resources are not overexploited, a deeper understanding of biomass availability, utilisation, regenerative potential, and competing uses is essential for designing policies that balance economic development with sustainability objectives. This study reviews the availability and competing uses of biomass, and the obstacles to biomass utilization in Burundi, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Namibia, South Africa, and Uganda.

The findings illustrate how these factors shape the trajectory of national and regional bioeconomy development. While biomass is essential for developing a bioeconomy, its availability has not been adequately assessed. Reported biomass sources include agricultural residues, forests, aquatic resources, and municipal wastes, yet quantitative metrics and location-specific data remain limited. Competing uses of biomass range from energy production (firewood, charcoal, biofuels, bagasse gasification) and biofertilizers to livestock feed, biopharmaceuticals, and traditional applications. Weak aggregation and supply chains, inadequate policy incentives for sorting and processing, and insufficient data to guide investment were identified as key challenges. Biomass use should be expanded beyond traditional uses to include added value in clean cooking, reduction of plastic pollution, construction, improved bioinputs in food production and biopharmaceuticals. Efforts towards growing new and more biomass to meet the demand in the different economic sectors was found necessary.

The findings underscore the need for (a) improved data availability on biomass quantity, characteristics, and uses; (b) coherent bioeconomy policies and incentives that promote both efficient use and the sustainable production of new biomass; and (c) strengthened regional and international cooperation to guide biomass conservation and utilisation. Such efforts are vital for achieving a sustainable bioeconomy that supports food security, poverty alleviation, biodiversity conservation, and climate mitigation.

Published as ZEF Working Paper No. 252

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