Abstract: Feedstock remains the central determinant of both the economic viability and carbon footprint of biomanufacturing. This review analyzed the evolutionary logic of feedstock transition—from First Generation (food-based) to Second Generation (non-food biomass) and Third Generation (C1 resources)—through the dual lenses of supply chain economics and process engineering. The resource constraints and economic volatility associated with 1G feedstocks, the engineering barriers related to biomass recalcitrance and logistics associated with 2G feedstocks, and the thermodynamic and mass transfer bottlenecks inherent in 3G technologies were examined. Based on a multidimensional assessment, it was concluded that the future landscape will feature feedstock diversification and coexistence of multiple feedstocks. Finally, the paper proposed key developmental pathways, including the reconstruction of distributed logistics systems, deep integration of renewable energy with biomanufacturing, and the standardization of carbon footprint accounting.

Key words: biomanufacturing, feedstock transition, lignocellulosic biomass, C1 utilization, synthetic biology