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Strong growth despite legal uncertainties
Source: eBIO
Copyright: eBIO
After a rather moderate growth in 2007 (11%) European fuel ethanol production increased considerably in 2008. The strong growth of almost 60% came to a time where the EU legal framework for biofuels was under discussion and biofuels were under critique.
Total EU production in 2008 was an estimated 2.8 billion litres up from 1.8 billion litres in previous year. This represents a significant increase of 56%.
Most of this increase is due to the growth in French production, which almost doubled to 1 billion litres in 2008 (up from 539 million litres in 2007). This makes France the biggest EU ethanol fuel producer in 2008, followed by Germany that also expanded their out‐put to 568.5 million litres (+32.5%). Third biggest producing country was Spain with 317 million litres. In 5 out of 18 producing member states the production declined while the rest could either increase their production (12) or could keep it steady.
In 2008 fuel ethanol production capacity came on stream in Belgium. Finland resumed its production in 2008 and in Austria fuel ethanol has been produced for the first complete year. The total number of member states that produce bioethanol for the fuel sector increased to 17. 2008 was also a record year in terms of imports.
Total imports increased by 400 million compared to 2007 and are estimated to have reached in 2008 almost 1.9 billion litres. Between 1.4 and 1.5 billion litres came from Brazil only. Somewhat over 50% of all imports (around 1.1 billion litres) were used in the fuel sector. It is still too early to publish reliable consumption data for 2008. eBIO will publish an update of production and imports data by July 2008. By then also consumption and feedstock data will be published.
Fuel ethanol production in the EU since 2004
About eBIO
The European Bioethanol Fuel Association (eBIO) serves as the voice of the European bioethanol fuel industry. eBIO’s mission is to promote European policies and initiatives in support of the bioethanol industry, increase public awareness of renewable fuels and the positive contribution they make to European energy independence, climate change and the economy. eBIO provides advocacy, authoritative analysis and important industry data to its members, the European Institutions, strategic partners, the media and other opinion leaders. eBIO was founded in May 2005, and today counts 60 members.
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