Biomass is a major carbon neutral energy source, but it is generally difficult to use as a fuel due to low energy density, high moisture content, and low heating value because of hydrophilicity. As one of the methods for overcoming these problems of biomass, research on torrefaction is continuously being performed. Through torrefaction, high energy density characteristics can be obtained by increasing the carbon content in the biomass, and moisture in the biomass can be removed, hydrophilicity can be changed to hydrophobicity, and the heating value can be increased. In addition, since a grindability of torrified biomass is improved, energy consumption is reduced 3 to 7 times when pulverizing biomass, thereby reducing costs of storage and transportation. In the domestic torrefied biomass market, laboratory-scale tests are being conducted in universities, but development for commercialization and demonstraion is still insignificant. In EU, demonstraion and commercial scale torrefaction technologies such as rotary drum, screw, moving bed, fluidized bed, multi-stage furnace, and conveyor belt types are being developed. This study analyzed the characteristics and R&D trends of biomass torrefaction technology, an upgrading fuel conversion technology from wasted herbaceous biomass for sustainable development.