Biofuels have the strongest growth potential in the global transport fuel sector, with growth estimated to move from the current 3% of the global fuel mix to 12% by 2030.

But as biofuels make this massive move from niche to mainstream market, the industry grapples with serious questions about how they will affect the markets, the industry, and both major and specialist players.

Energy Intelligence Research's new research report, Biofuels: Fuels of the Future?, explores the biofuels phenomenon and presents analysis of the main risks and opportunities in the fast-growing sector.

Biofuel Case Studies The report provides an in-depth look into the most important regions for biofuels – Brazil, the US and Europe – providing analysis on prospects for future development and the implications for oil consumption. Key insights include: Brazil – Deregulation and rising oil costs have initiated a biofuels comeback. Although the US has overtaken Brazil as the world's biggest ethanol producer, EI predicts that Brazil will regain this title, while also developing lucrative export markets to satisfy growing world demand for ethanol.   US – The US government is spurring the development of ethanol as a means to reduce its dependence on high-price oil imports. However, constraints in terms of feedstock availability might make US production dependent on future Brazilian imports.   EU – Unlike the US and Brazil, the dominant transport fuel in Europe is diesel, so the focus is on biodiesel rather than ethanol. EU biodiesel markets are at very different stages of development due to the patchwork of different national policy frameworks. This report focuses on Germany, France and the UK as the main drivers of EU biofuel developments.

Key questions addressed in the Biofuels: Fuels of the Future? study include:

• Where are the greatest opportunities in the biofuels sector?

• How much potential is there for biofuels to displace oil in transport fuels?

• What are the prospects and outlook for investment in Brazil, the EU, Malaysia and the US?

• How is the growing backlash against biofuels affecting their future prospects?

• How much government support does the biofuels sector need?

• What roles will the oil companies play?

• What are the limitations to biofuel feedstock availability?

• How much room for expansion is there in Brazilian biofuel production?

• Will the US be able to meet growing biofuel demand without imports?

• Will European biofuel demand continue to be crimped by policy decisions?  

• Can next-generation biofuels overcome the limitations of the current generation?  

The Energy Intelligence Advantage

Energy Intelligence, the world’s leading provider of independent and objective energy insight, analysis and data, leverages its global expertise to examine one of today’s most relevant and significant issues — the future role of biofuels in the transport fuel market.

Biofuels: Fuels of the Future? presents EI’s unique, macro view of how biofuels will affect the industry and your company. The report provides:

• Detailed risk assessments of the biofuels sector

• Analysis of growth prospects in the market

• Research on trends and factors that will affect biofuels’ market potential

• Examinations of ethanol and biodiesel production processes and technologies  

• Case studies on the most important regions for biofuels — the US, Brazil and the EU  

Today's high oil price environment is changing the parameters for many of the transport fuel markets and technologies — biofuels in particular. This report serves as a valuable guide for energy executives, planners, analysts, consultants and investors who require objective insight and analysis of the risks and opportunities in the biofuels sector.