Primer on Bioproducts - BIOCAP Canada

Chapter 1What are Bioproducts?Biomass is any type of organic material that is available on arenewable or recurring basis. It includes such things as cropsand trees, wood and wood wastes, aquatic plants and grasses.Bioproducts are products that are made from biomass.Until 200 years ago, most of the world’s demand for energy andmaterials was met by using biomass. For example, peopleburned wood and peat to cook and heat their homes, and theyused plant and animal matter to make tools, clothes and dyes.This dependency on biomass often led to serious environmentalproblems. Forests in many countries were decimated, plant andanimal biodiversity decreased, and smoke from wood firescaused significant air pollution. Similar trends can be seentoday in developing countries that rely on biomass for energyPRIMER ON BIOPRODUCTS7