This presentation deals with the design and analysis of the biomass utilization system based on rice cropping to promote sustainable biomass utilization in South-east Asia. The use of corn to produce biofuel (i.e., ethanol) and biochemicals (i.e., lactic acid) is developed in the North America. On the other hand, rice is the major agricultural product in the Asian countries traditionally, and the biomass refinery based on rice should have great potential in the Asian countries. In the light of this fact, we propose the total utilization system for rice crops including grain, husk and straw, to meet the concept of biomass refinery. We call this biomass refinery system for rice-based biomass as “Rice Refinery.” In order to demonstrate the regional circulation, we are going to draw up a plan of “Biomass Town” to meet the situation in the South-East Asia. The basic concept of Biomass Town is to utilize the biomass resources obtained in the region efficiently and economically, minimizing the waste energy and materials. It is important to understand and respect the individuality of the region for successful energy and material circulations. As a research field for Rice Refinery-oriented Biomass Town, we focused on South Vietnam including Hochiminh City and Mekong River Delta, which is one of the world's largest production centers of rice. The potential of biomass resource originated from rice cropping was examined, using both the statistical data and the results obtained in a series of field studies in an existing paddy field. Based on the analyses of the material and energy balance/flow in the region, including the available quantity of biomass, its collection and transportation, biomass conversion technologies (e.g., bioethanol production) and the local market of the biomass-based products, a comprehensive evaluation of the Rice Refinery system in the Mekong River Delta area was conducted.

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