Biotech Updates

Overview of the International Biofuels Scene

November 24, 2006
http://www.dpmc.gov.au/biofuels/final_report.cfm

The Australian Biofuels Task Force gives useful information on the international biofuels scene, particularly in the Americas, Asia and Europe. The study makes the following interesting observations: (1) Ethanol and biodiesel are the internationally dominant biofuels; but while these are growing in market share, the contribution to total transport fuel usage is small (about 1%), (2) The major producers of bioethanol are Brazil and the United State in the Americas, while India, China and Thailand are dominant in Asia. Europe is the main producer of almost all of the word’s biodiesel, (3) The driving incentive of many countries in the use and development of biofuels is agricultural support; many countries have subsidies, and regulatory preferences in support of biofuels. The Australian Biofuels Task Force Report also tackles many issues that are helpful in biofuels policy formulation..