Analysis Shows Factors that would Enhance Bioethanol from Poplar in the European Union

The European Union (EU) has decided to develop its biofuels market to mitigate climate change. However, bioethanol has yet to be widely commercialized in the European Union. Richard J. Murphy from University of Surrey of the United Kingdom and a team of researchers used models to evaluate prices of bioethanol from short rotation coppice (SRC) poplar feedstocks under two leading processes in five European countries.

Analysis showed that the process used and cost differences in feedstock prices between countries have led to a wide range of bioethanol production costs, with the lowest production costs found where feedstocks are cheap. Bioethanol prices are shown to be influenced  by government support and taxes. In a forward-looking scenario, GM poplar, with reduced lignin, reduced production costs in four of the five countries modelled.

The study revealed that in order to enhance bioethanol market in EU, producers must use processes suited to their feedstock and government support schemes. Lastly, genetic engineering would help develop a sustainable bioethanol market in EU.