BIOETHANOL MARKET ANALYSIS

Bioethanol is renewable and eco-friendly fuel majorly produced by fermentation of sugar. Energy crops are major source of sugar, which are used for production of bioethanol. The process involved in production of bioethanol include fermentation, distillation, rectification, and dehydration. The emissions due to burning of ethanol are less volatile as compared to those produced by combustion of gasoline, which is propelling demand for manufacturing of bioethanol, in turn fueling growth of the market. However, large amount of carbon dioxide is released during manufacturing of bioethanol, which is harmful to environment, this in turn is expected to hamper growth of the market over the forecast period. Increasing demand for ecofriendly vehicles and the renewable nature of bioethanol are major factors driving growth of the bioethanol market. However, high cost associated with production of bioethanol and maintenance of manufacturing unit is restraining growth of the market.

Bioethanol Taxonomy

By application:

• Feedstock
• Fuel
• Food

By source:

• Maize
• Corn
• Wheat crops
• Waste straw
• Reed canary grass
• Cord grasses
• Jerusalem artichoke
• Potatoes
• Others

 By blend:

• E10
• E20 & E25
• E70 & E75
• E85
• Other

By end user:

• Automobile
• Energy
• Petrochemical
• Fuel
• Medical
• Others

Bioethanol is used as a fuel for transport, power generation, feedstock in chemical industry, and manufacturing processes due to low emission and easy availability. Currently, bioethanol is blended with gasoline in varying concentrations to be used as fuel. The first generation fuels are directly produced from food crops. Second generation fuels are produced from lignocellulose and waste products, while third generation fuels are produced from feedstock such as micro algae and fourth generation fuels are produced from algae and microorganisms capable of absorbing and converting CO₂ to bioethanol.

Market Outlook

• North America holds dominant position in bioethanol markets, owing to favorable government and environmental regulations particularly in the U.S. Moreover, technological developments and swiftly emerging automotive industry is expected to fuel growth of the market over the forecast period.
• Latin America is expected to gain significant traction in bioethanol market, owing to high soil productivity in Brazil and Columbia. High production of sugarcane in Brazil is expected to increase the production of biofuel in this region.
• In Europe, EU aims to achieve 10% transport fuel derived from renewable sources such as bioethanol for every member country. Blending obligations of bioethanol with fossil fuels and growing demand for energy from European economies such as France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain are expected to increase adoption of bioethanol in Europe.
• Bioethanol market in Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at steady rate, owing to presence of large population and availability of fertile land in economies such as India, Thailand, and China. Moreover, India being an agricultural country is in is turn projected to contribute significantly towards growth of bioethanol market.

Key Developments

• In October 2018, Valero Renewable Fuels Co LLC acquired three bioethanol producing plants of Green Plains Inc. for US$ 319 million. The plants are located in South Carolina, Iowa and New York. With the acquisition Valero became second largest bioethanol producer in U.S., accounting for 11% of total U.S. ethanol production capacity.
• In 2016, Borregaard (Norway based chemical manufacturing company) invested US$ 21.2 million for up gradation of its bioethanol plant. The company installed modern production technology at its plant to increase its production efficiency and produce 100% water-free bioethanol.
• In April 2018, St1 Oy (Finland based energy company) completed construction of its pilot plant in Thailand. The plant is started in partnership with Ubon Bio Ethanol and will focus on producing bioethanol from cassava waste by using St1’s Etanolix technology. After successful implementation of pilot phase, company aims to start construction of first commercial plant.
• In December 2018, VERBIO North America Corporation acquired DuPont’s bioethanol plant located in Newada, Iowa, U.S. The acquisition will help VERBIO to increase its market share in bioethanol market.
• In April 2018, AustroCel Hallein GmbH (Austria based dissolving pulp manufacturer) announced to invest US$ 74 million to increase its dissolving pulp production capacity and to enter in to bioethanol production. The company will install equipment for production of bioethanol from wood sugars and will have production capacity of 30 million liters per year. The plant is expected to be operational by 2020.

Bioethanol is better alternative to fossil fuel sources, owing to high octane value and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing demand for fuel and need to reduce greenhouse gas effect is propelling growth of bioethanol market. For bioethanol to substitute petrol, the manufacturing procedure has to be more cost-effective coupled with an increase in yields and diversity of crops used. Major players operating in bioethanol market include CropEnergies, British Sugar, New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc., Vivergo Fuels Limited, Butalco GmbH, and Global Green SA.