May 19 2010
Recently, a Global Biofuels Center (GBC) report concluded that globally there are 200 next-generation biofuels projects, which is beyond the over 100 bioethanol facilities in Brazil that will achieve the status of “Advanced Biofuels” in the United States.
These projects include the manufacture of renewable diesel, hydrogenated vegetable oil renewable diesel and cellulosic ethanol generated by means of gasification as well as FT process, renewable gasoline, bio-dimethyl ether (DME) and bio-methanol.
Most of these projects are either in planning or construction stage. Yet, the number of demonstration and pilot facilities operating currently is 58, which is an increase of 29% from September 2009, this growth can be attributed to research funding in next-generation biofuels.
The report by Global Biofuels Center (GBC) provides complete information of the plants such as company name, feedstock, plant capacity, status and process. The other findings of the report include: the possible discontinuation of 32 projects, the U.S. being the nation showing the highest demand for advanced biofuels even as particular volumes are necessary as per the RFS2 policy, and the finding that only six plants are operating on a commercial scale worldwide.