Biorenewable Insights: Ethanol (2026 Program)
This report examines selected routes for fuel ethanol production, focusing on conventional fermentation of crop-based “first generation” biomass feedstock and two routes to non-crop-based “second generation” product; hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass and fermentation of industrial/waste gases including from steel production. Technology analysis includes the range of technologies for advanced/second-generation ethanol, as well as details of emerging “third generation” processes. Economic Analysis includes cost of production models for first generation ethanol (from corn or sugarcane feedstock dependent on location), indicative cellulosic ethanol process from agricultural waste (sugarcane field trash, wheat straw or corn stover dependent on location) and indicative emerging syngas fermentation route using steel mill offgas. Analysis is provided for United States, China, Brazil and Western Europe.