2010-2011: Pivotal Years for Next Generation Biofuels

The number of next generation biofuels projects reached 200 globally, a report from the Global Biofuels Center (GBC) recently announced, beyond the more than 100 Brazilian bioethanol facilities that will qualify as "Advanced Biofuels" in the U.S. These projects include production of cellulosic ethanol, hydrogenated vegetable oil renewable diesel and renewable diesel obtained through gasification and the FT process, bio-methanol, renewable gasoline and bio-dimethyl ether (DME).

Most of the projects are still under construction or in the planning phase. Still, the number of pilot or demonstration plants operating now is 58, a 29% increase since September 2009, indicating funding that went into research in next generation biofuels is leading to some progress. However, the number of plants under construction fell by 50% over this time period.

"This only underscores the key issue of obtaining funding for moving forward with building commercialscale facilities," said Tammy Klein, Assistant VP of Hart Energy Consulting. "As most operators announce 2010 or 2011 as the start of operation for their projects, this year and next year are going to show whether the promised volumes will be on the market or not. The situation could change rapidly and we will update this report twice in 2010 for our membership."

The report includes a complete matrix of the plants including company name, process, feedstock, status and plant capacity. Other key findings:

The U.S. is the country with the most demand for next generation biofuels as specific volumes are required in the RFS2 policy, but Asia is developing a greater next generation biofuels capacity than the U.S.,
Only six facilities are fully commercial at present worldwide,
It appears 32 projects have been discontinued altogether.

More information on GBC is available at www.globalbiofuelscenter.com. Tammy Klein is available for comment at +1.701.323.0417 or tklein@hartenergy.com .

Launched in 2004 by Hart Energy Consulting, the GBC covers exclusively for its members all aspects of the global biofuels market: production and consumption, production capacity and facility developments, technologies, fiscal policy, incentives, etc... Hart Energy Consulting is a division of Hart Energy Publishing, LP, one of the world's largest energy industry publishers, with a diverse array of informational products for the worldwide energy industry. Multi-client consulting services include the International Fuel Quality Center, the Global Biofuels Center and an annual Crude, Refining & Clean Transportation Fuels Outlook to 2030. Headquartered in Houston, with offices in New York, London, Washington, Brussels, and Singapore, Hart Energy Publishing's market-leading publications include Oil and Gas Investor, E&P, FUEL and PipeLine & Gas Technology. Hart also produces newsletters, custom publishing products, conferences, and unique multi-and single-client consulting services.