Debate over molasses as advanced biofuels feedstock in EU revving up

In Belgium, the debate over the European Commission’s proposal to consider molasses from beet sugar production as a feedstock for second generation ethanol is getting flack from the yeast industry who uses it as a feedstock for yeast production. It is also used in confectionary and animal feed. The industries source 90% of their molasses demand from within the EU and are concerned that competition with biofuels could boost prices and force them to import more sugarcane molasses, primarily from Asia.