China and India seen dominating Asian biofuels landscape

In Massachusetts, driven by aggressive mandates, government support and cost advantages, China and India – the world’s two most populous countries – dominate Asia’s alternative fuels landscape, according to Lux Research. However, even strong growth will leave these nations short of their self-imposed targets.

Ethanol is booming in China, thanks to the nation’s 10% blend mandate, equivalent to 3.3 billion gallons per year for 2020, but as total fuel demand explodes as well, ethanol will creep up to only 4% of gasoline in 2017, placing that target in doubt. India is betting on risky jatropha for biodiesel as it races to meet an aggressive 20% biofuels mandate for 2017, but biofuels will account for under 0.6% of its diesel fuel and 0.3% of its gasoline in 2017.