Feedstock

Feedstock is a raw material used as the input for a manufacturing or energy conversion process. In general terms, it can be any material fed into a process to produce products such as chemicals, fuels, or materials. In renewable energy and bioprocessing, biomass feedstock refers to biological material derived from plants or animals that can be converted into energy or biobased chemicals. In the petrochemical sector, feedstock often denotes fossil sources such as crude oil, natural gas liquids, or naphtha used to produce fuels and polymers.

Biomass feedstocks vary widely and include energy crops (for example, perennial grasses or fast-growing trees), agricultural residues (crop residues, straw, husks), forestry residues (wood chips, sawdust), municipal and industrial organic waste, and sometimes algae. Key characteristics for feedstock selection include moisture content, energy density, ash and inorganic content, grindability, and the presence of contaminants. These factors influence preprocessing needs, handling, storage, and conversion efficiency.

Processing pathways for feedstocks range from biochemical to thermochemical methods. Biochemical routes include fermentation of sugars to ethanol or production of biochemicals, while thermochemical routes encompass gasification to syngas, pyrolysis to bio-oil, or direct combustion for heat and power. Pretreatment and upgrading steps are often required to improve conversion performance and product quality.

Supply chain considerations are critical: cultivation or collection, harvest or collection timing, storage, transport logistics, and pretreatment affect cost and reliability. Sustainability and policy considerations—such as land use, water impact, greenhouse gas emissions, and social considerations—also influence feedstock viability. Availability and price volatility reflect regional abundance, seasonality, and competing uses.