Chemical Research

  Bioethanol: A sustainable future fuel History of bioethanol as a fuel While bioethanol has gained mainstream popularity only in the past few decades, its use as a fuel source dates back several centuries. One of the earliest documented uses of bioethanol was in the 1800s when George Washington Carver developed ways to produce ethanol from sweet potatoes as a substitute for gasoline. However, large scale production and use began in the 1970s during the oil crisis when there was a push to find alternative renewable fuels to lessen dependency on imported petroleum. Brazil was one of the pioneering countries that implemented nationwide programs for bioethanol production and use. In 1975, the Proálcool program was launched which promoted the blending of ethanol in gasoline. Over the decades, Brazil invested significantly in ethanol infrastructure including dedicated flex-fuel vehicles that can run on any blend of gasoline and ethanol. Today, Brazil is the second largest producer of bi...

  Bioethanol has widespread applications as a transportation fuel, both directly as E85 fuel for flex-fuel vehicles and as an emulsifier in gasoline. It is produced from corn, sugarcane, and cellulosic biomass feedstocks through fermentation. Bioethanol offers a cleaner and renewable alternative to fossil fuels and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is easily blended into gasoline and used as a gasoline extender or oxygenate. The global bioethanol market size is estimated to be valued at US$ 13.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.8% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Market key trends: The expanding use of bioethanol in transportation fuel emulsions, especially in countries like Brazil, is one of the major trends driving the bioethanol market growth. Brazil is the second largest producer of bioethanol globally and has the largest flex-fuel vehicle fleet that can operate on any blen...