“Low-cost feedstock” is a common expression in the emerging bioeconomy. Years ago, restaurants paid to ship out the waste cooking oils and greases. Today those restaurants sell these wastes and greases to the markets. Since feedstock normally accounts for the significant majority of biofuel costs, finding the lowest cost feedstock that will process into a quality product is imperative. However, the low-cost feedstock is not always the best feedstock for a particular operation. Evaluations must always weigh the cost of the feedstock against the yield and the quality. That said, lower-cost/higher-yield feedstocks are constantly being developed. Of late, there has been a strong movement away from feedstocks that are also used in foods. The trend is now toward waste materials as feedstocks. Feedstock experts continue to watch the latest developments with conventional grains, oilseeds, fats & greases, energy crops, forest, pulp & paper, wood-related matters, plastics, rubber and latex, algae, biogas, CO2, methane, glycerin, solid recovered fuels, hemp, glycerin, and a variety of waste related matters like a municipal solid waste (MSW), agriculture waste, landfill waste, wood, plastic food, and fermentation wastes, construction waste, waste oils, and wastewater, sludge and more. With feedstock being such an integral part of all biofuels operations, feedstock experts must be able to handle feedstock analysis, forecasting, and hedging, and know the latest developments in creating some product of value in the leftover “waste” of any process. The goal of any producer should be to sell 100% of all production and byproducts and to do so at the maximum profit. This often starts with finding the best low-cost feedstock.
For over 25 years, Lee Enterprises Consulting has been assisting companies and investors with issues relating to sustainability, bioenergy, biomaterials and chemicals, biotechnologies, and feedstocks. With over 150 consultants, we have the diverse expertise and geographical reach to assist in virtually any bioeconomy project worldwide. These seasoned professionals average over 30 years each in their industry experience. Our ability to assemble these professionals into multidisciplinary teams allows us to fully integrate the technical, scientific, and regulatory aspects of a project, and combine them with years of hands-on experience. Take a look at our experts and the services we provide. You will note that most of our experts are also available for ancillary engagements and advice, for specialty engagements like serving as expert witnesses in litigation matters. A good overview of our group is found in this video. Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.
