France: Sugarcane biofuels best to meet EU emissions target

First-generation biofuels currently used in France meet the European Union’s target of 35% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2010, a study published last Thursday by the French energy and environment agency ADEME shows. According to the agency, all biofuel samples analyzed met the EU’s target, with the majority of grades giving greenhouse gas savings between 60% and 80%, excluding land use changes.

The study concluded that ethanol made from sugar cane proved to be the most environmentally friendly with GHG reduction of over 80%. ETBE, a mix of ethanol and isobutylene, showed the least favorable results, with ETBE made from wheat-based ethanol saving about 35% GHG emissions, just slightly above the EU target. ETBE made from sugar cane ethanol proved to be the most efficient type at about 50% reduction.