Driving the green transition: Future prospects and challenges for adding value to lignocellulosic biomass

The value-added of lignocellulosic biomass is one of the key paths to achieve sustainable development and circular economy. This review summarizes the major technological advances and research results in the field of value-added lignocellulosic biomass in recent years, including innovative technologies such as biorefinery optimization, synthetic biology, additive manufacturing, and electrochemical conversion. By analyzing its life cycle assessment, the sustainability performance of the technology in terms of greenhouse gas reduction, water use, soil health, biodiversity conservation and socio-economic impacts are further explored. In addition, key challenges to technology commercialization, such as high-value utilization of lignin, process integration, and scale-up, are outlined, and the importance of multi-scale modeling and policy support to drive technology development is highlighted. Looking ahead, with the integration of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and closed-loop design concepts, lignocellulosic biomass value-added technology is expected to be widely used by 2050, making significant contributions to the transformation of the global energy landscape, resource conservation and climate change response. This review provides a strategic perspective for driving development in this area and suggests key directions for achieving industrialization and sustainability goals.