Combined analytical strategies for chemical and physical characterization of tar from torrefaction of olive stone

•A range of complementary analytical techniques can determine composition of tars.•FT-ICR analysis showed that sulfur and nitrogen composition in the tar was low.•Torrefaction tar viscosity was similar to that of the fossil-based resin binders.•Torrefaction tar can be used as a binder in road asphalt or biomass briquettes. The advance in analytical methodology is critical for progress in 1) biorefinery and 2) torrefaction product commercialization. The chemical characterisation of torrefaction liquid and concentrated tar produced by Arigna Fuels’ pyrolysis plant allowed identification of polar, volatile, non-volatile compounds, species containing organically bound sulphur and nitrogen heteroatoms. The results suggest that only combined use of ion chromatography with Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry, and 1H-13C HS-QC can provide comprehensive information on sugar-like material and lignin-derived compounds. Due to the technical robustness and short analysis time, Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer was found to be a promising tool for tar analysis containing heavy molecular compounds. Importantly from a technological standpoint, the presence of aromatic and saturated compounds in both liquid and concentrated tar samples indicated the predominance of lignin-derived compounds over products originating from cellulose and hemicellulose polymers.