How it’s produced

In traditional, first-generation production, bioethanol is derived from a wide variety of sugar- and starch-rich crops, including grain, corn, sugar cane, and sugar beet. Traditional production of this alternative fuel is a well-known, easy fermentation process of the sugar, similar to those used to make whisky or vodka.

Second generation production

A new, second-generation production process currently in development will extract bioethanol from materials that contain lignocellulose, a strengthening substance found in woody plant tissues such as straw, cornstalks, wood chippings, or other organic materials that are often available as waste.

The material cost of second generation bioethanol will be far less than first-generation, and the raw materials can be grown in many more areas of the world.

The second-generation production technology is predicted to more than double bioethanol yields without straining the food chain since it allows the alternative fuel to be produced from any organic material. The new second-generation biofuels will also significantly improve energy efficiency and curb net C02 emissions compared to first-generation biofuels.