NOVELTY - Processing biomass, comprises treating a reduced recalcitrance lignocellulosic and/or cellulosic material with at least one enzyme and/or microorganism to produce an amino- alpha , omega -dicarboxylic acid.    USE - The method is useful for processing biomass to produce amino- alpha , omega -dicarboxylic acid that is used to produce products such as: personal care items, tissues, towels, diapers, green packaging, compostable pots, consumer electronics, laptop casings, mobile phone casings, appliances, food packaging, disposable packaging, food containers, drink bottles, trash bags, waste compostable bags, mulch films, controlled release matrices, controlled release containers, containers for fertilizers, containers for pesticides, containers for herbicides, containers for nutrients, containers for pharmaceuticals, containers for flavoring agents, containers for foods, shopping bags, general purpose film, high heat film, heat seal layer, surface coating, disposable tableware, plates, cups, forks, knives, spoons, sporks, bowls, automotive parts, panels, fabrics, under bonnet covers, carpet fibers, clothing fibers, fibers for garments, fibers for sportswear, fibers for footwear, surgical sutures, implants, scaffolding or drug delivery systems; and flavor enhancer, coatings, dispersants, superabsorbent, drug delivery systems, plant growth, metal chelator, waste water treatment, water treatment or automotive additives; and polymer or copolymers (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The method: provides biomass-derived amino- alpha , omega -dicarboxylic acids that in turn provide the polymer products that are biodegradable, inexpensive, reusable and environmentally friendly; and utilizes the fermentation step that does not require any additional nutrients.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) a product comprising at least one converted amino- alpha , omega -dicarboxylic acid, which is produced by the fermentation of sugars derived from the acidic or enzymatic saccharification of an irradiated lignocellulosic and/or cellulosic material;    (2) a system (510) for polymerization of amino- alpha , omega -dicarboxylic acid, comprising a reaction vessel (520), a screw extruder (528) and a condenser (540), a recirculating fluid flow path from an outlet (521) of the reaction vessel to an inlet of the screw extruder and from an outlet of the screw extruder to an inlet to the reaction vessel, and a fluid flow path from a second outlet of the reaction vessel to an inlet of the condenser; and    (3) making a polymer or copolymer, comprising evaporating water as it is formed during condensation of an amino- alpha , omega -dicarboxylic acid polymer as it traverses a surface of a thin film evaporator.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of the system for polymerizing amino- alpha , omega -dicarboxylic acid.    System (510)    Reaction vessel (520)    Outlet of reaction vessel (521)    Screw extruder (528)    Condenser (540)