Regional variation

12th November, 2007

It is well known by even newcomers to the industry that the biofuels infrastructure that governments in Europe and even the US are now trying to establish has been around for decades in parts of South America.

The situation in Brazil proves it is possible to create a sustainable market, producing, consuming and exporting ethanol with relative ease. But although Brazil may have an established ethanol market, it still has a long way to go with its biodiesel sector.

Every country differs in its climate, land availability, economy and priorities, so despite their close proximity, no two countries in South America are the same.

Still going strong

Brazil, which until recently stood head and shoulders above the rest of the world as the leading bioethanol manufacturer, has been overtaken by the US in terms of size, and by other countries and regions in terms of new investment. According to a report published by UK-based commodity consultancy Integer, entitled: 'The global outlook for biofuels to 2012,' in 1990, Brazil accounted for more than three quarters of world biofuels production measured in terms of energy equivalent, but by 2006 this had dropped to just under 40%.

Click here to subscribe to Biofuels International now!