BioPact an organization promoting sustainable use of bioenergy in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa has announced a sneak preview of  their research on the potential of some “second generation” biofuel feedstocks. “Second Generation” biofuel feedstocks are non-food based, generally lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production.  One of the factors used to assess potential is a feedstock’s net energy balance: the difference between the energy produced from burning the biofuel and the energy used to produce it.  A good feedstock should have a net positive energy balance and the higher the value, the better.  Palm oil was found to be the “most ethanol productive crop” and the “most productive biodiesel crop”. Estimates from a one hectare plantation that produced 20 tons of fresh fruit bunches showed that 4 tons of crude oil and 1 ton of palm kernel oil can be extracted for biodiesel production. The 20 ton fruit bunch harvest also yielded the following cellulose rich/ hemicellulose-rich materials that can be utilized for bioethanol processing: 4.6 tons of empty fruit bunches (after oil extraction), 3 tons of fresh fiber, and 1 ton of kernel press cake.  In addition, a one hectare plantation of 150 trees could yield 25 tons of hemicellulose-rich palm fronds for ethanol production.  The palm oil effluent from the processing of palm oil would also yield 100 cubic meters of biogas (a 60/40 mixture of methane and carbon dioxide) that can be used to co-generate electricity in the processing plant.  Biopact also notes that although they are aware and recognize the environmental problems associated with palm oil plantations, the reality is that some plantations already exist, but are not harnessed to their full production potential.  Instead of increasing palm oil plantation areas, the report states that it is important to upgrade the production of existing plantations..