ePure members produced 5.6 billion liters of ethanol in 2019

In Belgium, European renewable ethanol association (ePURE) members produced 5.6 billion liters of ethanol and 5.33 million metric tons of co-products in 2019, according to new audited data. The new figures confirm the importance of European renewable ethanol biorefineries to achieving EU Green Deal objectives for reducing emissions and sustainable domestic production of animal feed.

Of the total ethanol output from ePURE members in 2019 (the most recent year for which data have been compiled and audited), more than 82% was for fuel use, with an average of more than 72% greenhouse-gas savings compared to fossil gasoline. Of the remaining ethanol production in 2019, 9.2% was for food and beverage uses and 8.5% was for industrial applications, including hand sanitizer.

Along with the renewable ethanol, ePURE members’ refineries produced 5.33 million tons of co-products, including 3.83 million tons of high-protein, GMO-free animal feed and 0.8 million tons of captured CO2.

More than 99% of the feedstock used to produce renewable ethanol by ePURE members – including cereals, sugars, wastes and residues – was grown or sourced in Europe.