TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The method (M1) further involves maintaining in the facility an enzymatic hydrolysis system; and adding to the facility a mechanical treatment system. In the method (M1), retrofitting involves adding to the facility a recalcitrance reducing system; the recalcitrance reducing system comprises equipment configured to perform an operation on the feedstock selected from mechanically treating, chemically treating, sonicating, pyrolyzing, oxidizing and steam exploding the feedstock; the mechanical treatment system is configured to reduce the bulk density of the feedstock and/or increase the surface area of the feedstock; the mechanical treatment system performs a shearing process on the feedstock; the recalcitrance reducing system comprises equipment configured to irradiate the feedstock; and the recalcitrance reducing system is configured to reduce the recalcitrance of the feedstock by at least 25%. The preparing intermediate or product derived from a cellulosic or lignocellulosic material involves utilizing an existing manufacturing facility designed to produce a starch-based ethanol to produce an intermediate or a product derived from a cellulosic or lignocellulosic material, by removing or decommissioning equipment used for grinding, cooking and liquefaction of starch, while maintaining in the facility an existing bio-processing system configured to convert starch, utilizing a microorganism. The intermediate or product derived from a cellulosic or lignocellulosic material comprises a sugar solution or suspension that has been formed by pre-saccharifying a cellulosic or lignocellulosic feedstock at a remote location. The sugar solution or suspension is transported to the manufacturing facility by rail, truck, ship, or pipeline. The preparation (M2) of product involves providing a manufacturing facility configured to produce ethanol from grain, or from corn sweetener, sucrose, or lactose; transporting a cellulosic or lignocellulosic material to the manufacturing facility; and converting the cellulosic or lignocellulosic material to a product utilizing the manufacturing facility. In the method (M2), the cellulosic or lignocellulosic material has been physically treated. The preparation (M3) of different intermediate or product involves providing a manufacturing facility configured to produce ethanol from grain such as corn, or from corn sweetener, sucrose, or lactose; transporting an intermediate or a product derived from a cellulosic or lignocellulosic material to the manufacturing facility; and converting the intermediate or product derived from the cellulosic or lignocellulosic material to a different intermediate or product utilizing the manufacturing facility. In the method (M3), the intermediate or product derived from the cellulosic or lignocellulosic material comprises a partially or completely saccharified cellulosic or lignocellulosic material. Preferred Components: The feedstock comprises a lignocellulosic material. The feedstock, cellulosic or lignocellulosic material is selected from paper, paper products, wood, wood-related materials, grasses, rice hulls, bagasse, cotton, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo, sisal, abaca, straw, corn cobs, coconut hair, textile materials, industrial waste, processing waste, algae, seaweed, microbial biomass, human waste, and animal waste. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.