The role of the thermal processes of waste biomass in the circular economy perspective

The European Union (EU) document „Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe” define the vision of the efficient Europe: by 2050 the EU's economy has grown in a way that respects resource constraints and planetary boundaries, thus contributing to global economic transformation. In that context, the circular economy idea is provided. This concept can be summarized in a few key words: reduce, reuse, recycle and substitute. Taking into consideration the energy aspects following - among others - issues have to be taken into consideration: (1) fossil fuel use has to be reduced via increased energy efficiency and substituting for renewables energy (mainly biomass) (2) pollution reduction of the harmful substances, mainly greenhouse gases (GHG) and (3) increment of the use of biodegradable waste for bioenergy and bio-products. The Waste-to-Energy (WtE) strategy allows to meet these goals. By using the proper techniques, different types of biomass such as agriculture and forestry wastes, energy crops, domestic and household wastes, animal residues and industrial residues can be converted into various types of bio-energy product (e.g., bio-gas, bio-oil and bio-char). Among these methods, it seems to be concluded that the thermochemical processes are the most attractive. These processes offer not only real amount decrement of waste biomass, but additionally efficacious pathogen management. The aim of this paper is a presentation of the gasification process as a sustainable method for the wood, straw, poultry manure and sewage sludge utilization, taking into account the circular economy idea. The phosphorus recovery potential, gaseous fuel production and the solid adsorbent formation during this process is analysed and discussed.