What is biomass?

Biomass is a term that indicates the amount of biological resource, and refers to renewable organic resources of biological origin except fossil fuels.

Main biomass resources

Waste biomass

Used paper, livestock excrement, food waste, construction waste wood, black liquor, sewage sludge, human waste sludge, etc.

Unused biomass

Rice straw, straw, rice hulls, wood residue (thinned wood, damaged trees, etc.), energy crops, feed crops, starch crops, etc.

Initiatives by the Japanese Government

In December 2002, the Cabinet approved the Biomass Nippon Comprehensive Strategy, a long-term strategy for a circular society. One of the projects is the Biomass Town Concept. In this concept, the organic matters such as livestock waste, wood, straw, energy crops derived from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries produce products such as energy and biodegradable plastics, also utilizes waste and by-products from the food industry.