Primary processing

Primary processing of biowaste results in intermediate chemicals and/or materials which will then go into the secondary processing after which the final product is obtained. While some technologies are used exclusively for the purpose of primary processing, others (such as the separation processes and technologies) can be utilised in both primary and secondary processing which places them into hybrid processing.

Biochemical processes and technologies

• Aeration
• Anaerobic digestion
• Composting
• Insect farming
• Enzymatic processes

Chemical processes and technologies (these might be hybrid processing)

• Hydrolysis
  • Acid
  • Alkali
  • Salt
    • Metal salts
    • Sulphite salt
  • Solvent
    • Organosolv
• Ionic liquids
• Oxidation

Hybrid processes and technologies

• Pulping
  • Chemical pulping
    • Organosolv
    • Soda
    • Sulphate
    • Sulphite
  • Hybrid pulping
    • Chemithermomechanical pulping (CTMP)
    • Neutral Sulfite Semi Chemical pulping (NSSC)
  • Mechanical pulping
    • Refiner
      • Refiner mechanical pulping (RMP)
      • Thermomechanical pulping (TMP)
    • Groundwood
      • Pressure groundwood (PGW)
      • Stone groundwood (SGW)
      • Thermal groundwood (TGW)

Physical processes and technologies (these might be hybrid processing)

• Densification
• Sizing
  • Chipping
  • Grinding
• Microwave treatment
• Steam explosion
• Thermal expansion
• Ultrasonication

Thermochemical processes and technologies

• Ammonia fibre expansion
• Gasification
• Hydrothermal processing
• Pyrolysis
• Torrefaction