Bioprospecting: Forest bioeconomy and bioproducts

Abstract

Extraction of the valuable bioproducts from forest resources is crucial inorder to reduce carbon emission, creating sustainable environment and contributions in national economy. Norway consists of a large area of boreal forest resources and biomass which has a very potential sources for providing bio based products. This approachs for searching, identifying of commercially valuable products from natural resources is termed as bioprospecting. Biorefineries are the platforms that manufacture bioproducts involving different stage/ process such as raw materials processing, technical process or methods for production of chemicals, and extraction/ recovery process for desired products. Apart from using biorefineries as the platform for value creation, appropriate strategies, plans and policies are also required to achieve the goal. The study has reviewed the possibilities of valuable products from Norwegian tree species eg. Scots pine, Norway spruce and Birch with the inclusion of case studies in Norway, Finland and Sweden. Furthermore, this study discuss and suggest the strategies to create the value from forest resources, figured out challenges related to Norwegian forest industry, and some recommendations to increase the value from Norwegian forest. While concluding this paper, the study was concluded with the focus on approaches like collaboration across related sectors, sustainable utilization of renewable forest resources along with its productions and extractions.