Direct thermal decomposition, plasma-assisted decomposition, catalytic steam reforming and plasma enhanced catalytic steam reforming of biomass tar using toluene as a model compound were comparatively studied. Plasma enhanced catalytic steam reforming showed the best performance. The introduction of a plasma to the catalytic reforming reaction accelerated the decomposition of toluene, while the co-existing Ni/SiO2 reforming catalyst, on the other hand, guided the reaction towards formation of CO and H-2, realizing the highest toluene conversion, and the highest CO and H-2 formation rates simultaneously. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.