Publication
Title
Ensuring continuous feedstock supply in agricultural residue value chains : a complex interplay of five influencing factors
Author
Abstract
While second-generation biomass resources, such as agricultural residues, are crucial for the development of the bioeconomy, value chains and markets of locally available agricultural residues remain uncommon. Current research predominantly provides useful insights into technological or techno-economic aspects of agricultural residue harvesting and processing, but, for investors in bio-refineries, one of the main challenges remains ensuring a continuous feedstock supply to the plant. In this article, we present the results of a mixed-method approach, combining insights from semi-structured interviews with simulation results of an agent-based model. This model simulates the decisions of individual economic actors in the value chain - including farmers, custom harvesters and one processor - under four coordination scenarios (direct sale, a custom harvester, mediated contract and two cooperative structures). Our results provide useful insights in the way different factors influence the ability to ensure a continuous feedstock supply. We find that besides actors' willingness, actors' coordination and supply reliability, also actors' actual participation and economic context play a crucial role. Furthermore, we are able to demonstrate the complex interplay between these factors. Our findings are relevant to guide successful future development of agricultural residue value chains for the bioeconomy.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Biomass and bioenergy. - London
Publication
London : 2018
ISSN
0961-9534
DOI
10.1016/J.BIOMBIOE.2017.12.024
Volume/pages
109 (2018) , p. 209-220
ISI
000424939200024
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Individual behaviour and extra-utilitarian ethics in health economic evaluation: an individual-based modelling approach for measles elimination.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.03.2018
Last edited 02.10.2024
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