ePure members made more animal feed than fuel in 2021

In Belgium, European renewable ethanol association (ePURE) members produced more feed than fuel in 2021, according to certified data released today by the industry group.

ePURE members – representing 85% of EU installed capacity – produced 4.48 million tonnes of animal feed co-products and 4.40 million tonnes of renewable ethanol last year, according to the statistics. Additional co-products included 1.05 million tonnes of captured biogenic CO2, which replaces fossil CO2 in beverage and greenhouse applications.

All of the crops used in ePURE members’ biorefineries were grown by European farmers. 84.2% of the renewable ethanol produced was for fuel use. Of the remaining ethanol production, 9.4% was for industrial use including hand sanitiser, and 6.4% was for food and beverage use.

The audit also showed record-high GHG-saving performance of ePURE members’ ethanol – 77% on average compared to fossil petrol – making its use essential to transport decarbonisation by reducing emissions from the petrol and hybrid cars that will predominate on Europe’s roads for many years.