CleanBeta

Maps of Biomass Resources in the United States

What is Biomass?

Biomass is biological material like plant matter or products derived from plant matter that is organically renewable. “Cellulosic” or “lignocellulosic” biomass is the woody, fibrous and generally inedible part of a plant that contains critical components of plant cell walls called cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin. Cellulosic biomass is the most abundant form of biological material in the world.

Cellulose and hemicellulose are complex carbohydrates, which microorganisms can break down into simple sugars. Lignin is not a carbohydrate but a polymer that binds cellulose and hemi-cellulose. Cellulosic biomass, which contains about 75% carbohydrates and 25% lignin, includes corn stalks, tree limbs, wood chips, sawdust from lumber and paper processing, solid waste product and several other types of biological/plant matter.

See also - What Is Biomass?