The purpose of this NSF workshop is to identify U.S. capabilities, needs, and strategies for using catalysis to produce value-added chemicals and energy from biorenewable feedstocks. The workshop program brings together the catalysis and biorenewables communities through featured speakers, discussion sessions, and informal interactions. Attendees are from academia, industry, national laboratories, and government funding agencies. The desired outcome of the workshop is the formulation of a research agenda directed at catalysis for biorenewables conversion.

The more specific goals of the workshop are to:

1. Assess the current state of chemical catalyst and biocatalyst science applicable to biorenewables;
2. Identify needs for scientific capabilities in catalysis for conversion of biorenewables to value added chemicals and fuels;
3. Develop and prioritize directions for catalysis in biorenewables conversion, including integration of chemical catalysis and biocatalysis in the biorefinery;
4. Identify curricular and workforce needs for the future biorenewables-based chemicals industry.

The deliverable materials from the workshop will include a written report and website that describe the events and outcomes of the workshop. It is anticipated that these outcomes will serve as the foundation for additional NSF workshop activities in both biocatalysis and chemical catalysis related to biorenewables.