{
  "abstract": "The transition from petroleum-derived polymers to renewable materials requires biorefineries capable of managing the compositional variability and multiscale structure of lignocellulosic biomass. This conceptual narrative review examines fractal-inspired principles—including hierarchical organization, branching, modularity, and finite-range statistical self-similarity—as a design perspective for integrated biorefineries. Deterministic mathematical fractals are distinguished from statistical fractals and hierarchical engineered systems, and methods for characterizing scale-dependent surfaces, porous catalysts, and transport networks are reviewed. The coordinated valorization of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin is then considered within an integrated biomass-to-chemicals framework for producing platform chemicals, functional materials, and polymer precursors. Petroleum crude-to-chemicals processing, including the S-OIL Shaheen Project, is discussed as a limited industrial benchmark for integrated fractionation, residue upgrading, and product diversification rather than as direct evidence of fractal engineering. An integrated framework is proposed in which fractal-inspired design provides the physical and organizational architecture, artificial intelligence supports characterization, prediction, optimization, and control, and Industry 5.0 provides the objectives of sustainability, resilience, and human-centered manufacturing. The framework remains conceptual. Its potential benefits must be evaluated through transport modeling, mass and energy balances, process simulation, experimental comparison, techno-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "YK Consulting Co., Ltd., 17 Apkujung-ro 11-gil, Kangnam-gu, Seoul 06000, Republic of Korea",
    "Separation & Purification Research Center, Chemical & Process Technology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea",
    "Department of Forest Products and Biotechnology, Kookmin University, 77 Jeongneung-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea",
    "Consumer Product Division Packaging Technology Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories, 199 Gasan Digital 1-ro, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul 08503, Republic of Korea"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Young Chan Ko"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Soon Wan Kweon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yong Ju Lee"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Byoung Geun Moon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Hyoung Jin Kim"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2rc2sczzjwrgx.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/polym18202505",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13708920/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "2rc2sczzjwrgx",
  "issns": [
    "2073-4360"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2505",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2204|Catalysis for Biomass Conversion"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221653336",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13708920/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13708920",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2rc2sczzjwrgx.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:44Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/polym18202505",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2505"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:34Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13708920",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13708920"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "issn:2073-4360",
      "subfield": "materials-polymers"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Fractal-Inspired Biorefineries for Sustainable Polymer Production: A Conceptual Framework Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Industry 5.0",
  "title_text": "Fractal-Inspired Biorefineries for Sustainable Polymer Production: A Conceptual Framework Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Industry 5.0",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:34Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2rc2sczzjwrgx",
  "venue": "Polymers",
  "versions": []
}