Bridging bioenergy and circularity: Drivers, barriers, and pathways of biomass valorization in Indonesia

Southeast Asia generates large volumes of biomass residues, yet most are managed through linear methods such as open burning rather than circular approaches. This study reviews biomass residue valorization research in Southeast Asia, using Indonesia as the primary case study. It investigated trends, conversion pathways, and factors that shape the implementation of biomass residue valorization. From a systematic review of 99 studies in Southeast Asia, 50 cases with country-level data were used to assess Indonesia's valorization landscape. The results reveal that 74% of Indonesian research focused on energy recovery, positioned at R9 on the circularity hierarchy. Higher-value applications such as biochemicals and biochar receive limited attention, risking a technological lock-in that restricts circular material loops. The inductive thematic analysis identifies six categories of drivers: policy, environmental, energy security, human health, economic, and technological. However, two-level barriers constrained them: critical bottlenecks and operational challenges. To bridge this gap, the study proposes the Multi-Level Circular Biomass Residue Valorization (MCBV) framework, advocating for cascading utilization, high-value products before energy recovery, and decentralized pre-processing. These findings offer a pathway for Indonesia and lessons for developing bio-economies in the Global South, pursuing circular economy transition beyond single-purpose energy substitution.