Abstract
INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
This BCC Research report is designed to offer an in-depth analysis of the
market for liquid biofuels in world regions other than North America. While
the term "biofuels" describes solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from
relatively recently dead biological material as opposed to fossil fuels, which
are derived from long dead biological material, for the purposes of this
report biofuels will refer to liquid fuels only. At present, two biofuel types
are commercially available, bioethanol and biodiesel. As the term "ethanol"
has come to refer to bioethanol in common English language usage, this report
also will adhere to that convention.
In addition to ethanol and biodiesel, often referred to first-generation
biofuels, several more fuel types may be manufactured from raw materials
derived from plant resources. These include second-generation ethanol
(cellulosic ethanol), biobutanol, algae-based biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch
fuels, green gasoline, and others.
The primary drivers for the industry are government mandates that have
established levels of biofuels that must be added to fossil fuels. In this
study, the market for biofuels is analyzed by feedstock type, by production
capacity, and by producer. Market values are calculated from historical per
gallon sales prices and predicted prices according to the futures markets.
Conclusions are illustrated with statistical information on markets,
applications, industry structure, and dynamics, along with technological
developments.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
While biofuels account for just 1% of world fuel consumption, they are the
subject of considerable global interest. Conventional energy resources, mainly
fossil fuels, are becoming limited due to a rapid worldwide increase in
demand. A growing imbalance in energy demand and supply affects consumer
prices as well as the environment, prompting a search for new sustainable
energy resources. Biomass is one such environmentally sound renewable resource
from which various fuels can be manufactured. Fuels produced from plant
materials also have the potential to invigorate lagging agricultural sectors
in emerging countries, such as those in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.
The study is intended for individuals requiring an in-depth analysis of the
biofuels industry that traces significant developments and forecasts important
trends, quantifies the various market sectors, and highlights companies active
in those areas.
Because of the diverse and fragmented nature of the industry, it is difficult
to find studies that gather such extensive data from far-reaching resources,
and have this data presented in one comprehensive document. This report
contains a unique collection of information, analyses, forecasts, and
conclusions that is very hard (or impossible) to find elsewhere.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
With the significant rise in global biofuels production, increasing volumes of
agricultural resources are being diverted to the industry. This phenomenon has
created concerns regarding agricultural resource competition and how it might
affect food production in North America and around the world.
This report on biofuel products, process technology, market players, and
industry trends is intended to present pertinent information for anyone
concerned with the interface between agriculture, energy, and fuels.
Interested parties might include new business and business development
managers, project investors and developers, green power marketers, energy
market advisors, energy professionals, engineers, venture capital investors,
commodity brokers and analysts, biofuel producers, biofuels technology and
equipment suppliers, feedstock suppliers, energy and environmental
researchers, vegetable oil crushers and refiners, fuel blenders, marketers and
distributors, and oil and gas project developers.
SCOPE OF REPORT
Liquid Biofuels: The Global Market firstpresents a general overview of biofuel
types, manufacturing methods, feedstock options, typical plant costs, and
operating margins, followed by an analysis of individual world regions:
Europe, South America, Asia and the Pacific Rim, and Africa and the Middle
East. Each region is evaluated in terms of fuel production and demand, the
legislative framework for biofuels use, incentives for production, and the
number and capacity of manufacturing plants.
Where known, a full listing of existing commercial-scale plants (greater than
1 million gallons per year [mgy], producing and non-producing) is presented,
as are listings of plants under construction. Each regional evaluation
includes estimates of market size for sales of ethanol, biodiesel, and other
fuel types, and a forecast for growth to 2013. Values are given in U.S.
dollars. Forecasts are in constant U.S. dollars and growth rates are
compounded.
The report includes a breakdown of industry structure and brief company
profiles of hundreds of businesses, which include addresses, phone and fax
numbers, and websites.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The information sources for this study include online research; SEC filings;
annual reports; company brochures; patent literature; business, technical and
industry journals; conference literature; and interviews with industry
participants. Statistical and other data also were collected from the U.S.
Department of Energy' s (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the USDA' s Foreign Agricultural Service,
The European Biodiesel Board, The Methanol Institute, the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Green Car Congress, Biodiesel Magazine, Ethanol
Producer Magazine, Biofuels Review, WorldBioPlants.com, and BioDieselSpain.com.
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