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In biorefineries the synergetic processing of biomass into marketable chemicals and materials as well as energy is carried out gradually and in a highly integrated manner. The first and fundamental step is the pretreatment of biomass (pulping, primary refining).

Examples of this type of biorefinery are biodiesel from vegetable oil, pulp and paper mills, and the production of ethanol from corn grain (Naik et al.

The main characteristics of a biorefinery are: The coupled generation of energy (e.g., gaseous or liquid biofuels) and materials (e.g., chemicals, food, and feed). A combination of several process steps (e.g., mechanical processes such as pressing, and thermochemical processes such as gasification).

A biorefinery is a facility (or network of facilities) that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce transportation biofuels, power, and chemicals from biomass. This concept is analogous to today's petroleum refinery, which produces multiple fuels and products from petroleum.

Biorefineries are industrial facilities that sustainably convert biomass into energy, chemicals, and materials. The main driving force for the biorefineries establishment is the call for sustainable development to ensure energy security, mitigate climate change, and the demand for chemicals and materials.