 The implementation of biorefineries based on lignocellulosic materials as an alternative to fossil-based refineries requires efficient methods for fractionation and recovery of the products. Traditional pretreatment methods such as steam explosion, organosolve, and hydrothermal treatment have been used to improve the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis and downstream processes. However, the large variety of lignocellulosic materials makes it difficult to find a general process design for a biorefinery. Therefore, the selection of a suitable pretreatment method should be based on a thorough techno-economic evaluation. This article was authored by Matt Galby and Ola Wolberg.