New audit confirms EU renewable ethanol industry makes more food than fuel

With 41 member companies and associations with around 50 plants across the EU and UK, ePURE members – representing 85 percent of EU installed capacity – and other European producers of renewable ethanol produced 6.5 million tonnes of food and feed co-products including high-protein animal feed and 5.08 million tonnes of renewable ethanol last year, according to the statistics.

Additional co-products included 1.46 million tonnes of captured biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂), another strategic domestic product that replaces fossil CO₂ in beverage and greenhouse applications.

Renewable ethanol biorefineries are a vital strategic asset for the EU. As these latest figures show, European biorefineries help the EU to reduce carbon emissions, secure food systems, ensure energy independence, and build agricultural and industrial autonomy. The EU needs to realize their full potential to help meet our carbon neutrality targets, strengthen our food systems, and pave the way for a more sustainable future, said ePURE Director General David Carpintero.

European grown feedstock

All of the crops used by the audited biorefineries were grown by European farmers. 85.9% of the renewable ethanol produced was for fuel use.

Of the remaining ethanol production, 6.5 percent was for industrial use including hand sanitizer, and 7.6 percent was for food and beverage use.

The audited data also showed record-high greenhouse gas (GHG) saving performance of European producers’ ethanol – 79.1 percent on average compared to fossil petrol – making its use essential to transport decarbonization by reducing emissions from the gasoline and hybrid cars that will predominate on Europe’s roads for many years.

The statistics were compiled from ePURE members and other European renewable ethanol producers and certified by auditing firm Copartner.