Mild pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of cellulose with recycled ionic liquids towards one-batch process

► Ionic liquids allow short time and room/mild temperature cellulose pretreatment. ► IL-recycling can be performed in maintaining their efficiency to pretreat cellulose. ► Trichoderma reesei cellulase is compatible with [Emim]+[MeO(H)PO2]− (up to 40%, v/v). ► [Emim]+[MeO(H)PO2]− pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification can be combined.