Application of Contois, Tessier, and first-order kinetics for modeling and simulation of a composting decomposition process.

•Contois, Tessier, and first-order kinetics were applied in relevant degrading steps.•Seven biological processes were presented to express uptakes and growth.•Experiments were carried out to supply model inputs and conduct verifications.•The main rate-limiting steps were the hydrolysis of hemi-/cellulose and lignin.•Model developed was a platform to simulate degradation of various materials.