Ethanol

Ethanol, otherwise known as ethyl alcohol, is a major market transportation fuel, solvent, feedstock for ethylene and polyethylene production (plastics), and has emerging applications in renewable energy generation. Ethanol production is nearly exclusively produced through either the organic fermentation of starches and sugars by yeasts, bacteria, and GMO microorganisms or the hydration of ethylene to produce “synthetic” or petrochemical ethanol.

Organic fermentation of ethanol for fuel production is largely accomplished by the use of corn or maize (U.S.), sugarcane and bagasse (Brazil), and sugar beets (Europe/EU). Second- and third-generation ethanol technologies seek to develop and commercialize cellulosic ethanol produced from agricultural and biological wastes that do not have significance as foodstuffs. Cellulosic ethanol requires additional enzymes and ethanol refinery or production facility equipment and has so far proven prohibitively expensive.

Despite its low energy density, ethanol has found the highest rate of consumption and proven to be the most successful renewable fuel or biofuel in terms of market volume. Ethanol is aided by its high production volumes, the mature technological status of its production, and ready availability of agricultural feedstocks. In the United States, subsidies for corn ethanol and fuel blending mandates (10% ethanol; E10 trending towards E15 and E20) have sponsored the world’s largest national renewable fuel industry with increasing automotive fleets of “Flexfuel” vehicles. Government promotion of ethanol in Brazil has similar led to the development of a major national ethanol industry. Brazil's domestic market for ethanol blends up to 85% (E85) and even E100 is fully supported by production, with sizeable production also available for export.