Khoaele, Katleho KGbadeyan, Oluwatoyin JMphahlele, IJSithole, BBChunilall, VirenSekoai, PChunilall, VGbadeyan, JG2025-02-272025-02-272024-101-0364-1461-2978-1-0364-1461-0http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14096The devastating impact of climate change and the necessity for sustainable products and processing approaches are significant concerns for the worldwide population. Interestingly, there is an abundance of biomass resources, which might meet the increasing demand for green products, as using fossil fuels is no longer recommended due to environmental concerns and sustainability. Biomass resources (renewable feedstock for renewable energy generation and specialty chemicals) are sourced from several natural sources and have a variety of applications. Most developed economies follow linear consumption concepts that are not feasible in the long term. The circular bioeconomy concept is a promising solution to minimize waste landfilling, generate revenue, and maximize zero-waste by utilizing biomass waste. The valorization of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose fractions into bioproducts, biofuels, or specialty chemicals depends on the practicality of their pre-treatment and further processing approaches. This chapter discusses biomass feedstock history, valorization processes, and applications, and motivations for their exploration. Several value-added products, which can be harnessed from biomass and residues, are detailed.FulltextenZero-waste biorefineryBiomass wasteCircular bioeconomyValue-added productsBook Chaptern/a