Top 10 Biofuel Production Country: According to International Energy System; the demand for biofuel will increase by 11 % in 2024 worldwide. In 2023, the global biofuels market was valued at around 123.98 billion USD with a growth rate of 7.02 %. In 2033, the global biofuel market will reach 243.37 billion USD all over the world.
In 2024; the United States, Brazil, and Indonesia are the top three leading countries in the field of biofuel production. Brazil is a pioneer in the biofuel industry and is recognized as the world’s foremost sustainable biofuel economy.
In this article, we are going to discuss what is biofuel production and the Top 10 Largest Biofuel Production Countries in this World.
Table of Content
- About Biofuel Production
- Top 10 Largest Biofuel Production Countries
- 10. Colombia – 780 Million Liters
- 9. Thailand – 4.54 Million Liters
- 8. Argentina – 1 Billion Liters
- 7. Indonesia – 13.15 Billion Liters
- 6. Canada – 15.142 Billion Liters
- 5. India – 227.124 Million Liters
- 4. China – 3.701 Billion Liters
- 3. Brazil – 15.206 Billion Liters
- 2. European Union – 3.785 Billion Liters
- 1. United States – 6.056 Billion Liters
About Biofuel Production
Biofuel production involves transforming organic materials, such as plants and waste biomass, into fuels used to generate energy. This process is key in the global push for renewable and sustainable energy sources, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. The main types of biofuels are:
- Bioethanol
- Biodiesel
- Biogas
- Advanced Biofuels
Top 10 Largest Biofuel Production Countries
The United States is the largest producer and consumer of biofuel which produces 38% of the global production. India is standing in the third position in terms of ethanol production which has the potential to hold a strong position in this industry. The USA, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, and India accounted for 80% of global expansion in biofuel use. These countries have comprehensive policy packages to support the growth of the biofuel use. Here are the top 10 Biofuel Production Country as mentioned below.
|
Biofuel Production Ranking (OECD/FAO, Agricultural Outlook 2019-2028) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Ethanol Production Ranking (base period) | Major Feedstocks for Ethanol | Biodiesel Production Ranking (base period) | Major Feedstocks for Biodiesel |
| United States | 1 (50%) | Maize | 2 (19%) | Soybean oil, diverse other oils |
| European Union | 4 (5%) | Maize, wheat, sugar beet | 1 (36%) | Rapeseed oil; waste oils |
| Brazil | 2 (24%) | Sugar cane | 3 (12%) | Soybean oil |
| China | 3 (8%) | Maize | 8 (3%) | Waste oils |
| India | 5 (2%) | Molasses | 15 (0.5%) | Palm oil |
| Canada | 6 (1.6%) | Maize | 10 (1.4%) | Waste oils |
| Indonesia | 23 (0.2%) | Molasses | 4 (10%) | Palm oil |
| Argentina | 9 (1%) | Maize, sugar cane | 5 (7%) | Soybean oil |
| Thailand | 7 (1.5%) | Molasses, cassava | 6 (4%) | Palm oil |
| Colombia | 13 (0.4%) | Sugar cane | 9 (1.5%) | Palm oil |
10. Colombia – 780 Million Liters
Cambodia has 16,000 hectares of palm oil, 13,000 hectares of jatropha, and 20,000 hectares of sugarcane. Each year, 36 million liters of bioethanol are produced from cassava with a Korean company. In 1994, the Mong Reththy Group and a South Korean partner started a project to grow oil palms on 11,000 hectares near Sihanoukville, the first of its kind in Cambodia. Recently, jatropha cultivation for biodiesel has gained attention, with about 500 hectares now planted.
Recent Initiatives and Developments
- A company from Japan is thinking about starting a plant in Cambodia to work with cashew nuts.
- They want to turn the leftover shells into fuel.
- The Top Planning Co LTD (TPJ)’s study says they would gather 5,250 tons of shell leftovers each year from factories in Cambodia.
- They plan to refine 1,050 tons of cashew oil yearly to sell abroad as biomass fuel and resources.
9. Thailand – 4.54 Million Liters
Nine biodiesel plants are currently operating in Thailand, producing a total of 435 million liters per year, while nine more plants are under construction with a capacity of 440 million liters annually. In 2007, Thailand produced 58 million liters of biodiesel. At present, the operational plants have a combined capacity of 655 million liters per year. The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service predicts that Thailand’s biofuel consumption will increase by 6% in 2023 to reach 2.96 billion liters, mainly due to rising demand from the transportation sector, including an expansion of the national diesel-powered vehicle fleet.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- In 2025, Thailand plans to produce 5.3 billion liters of bioethanol as part of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program.
- By 2030, Thailand aims to require 5.5 million tons of biodiesel through the Biodiesel Blended Diesel (BBD) program.
- The Thai government is encouraging research and pilot projects to create second-generation biofuels, which are made from non-food sources like agricultural leftovers and waste.
8. Argentina – 1 Billion Liters
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that Argentina made 1 billion liters of biodiesel in 2023. This drop happened because of a few reasons, like not needing much diesel, mixing less biodiesel, and sending out less to other countries. Argentina’s biodiesel industry is protected by a law about biofuels. It says that biodiesel used for official things must be made in local factories using local materials. Since the factories are not using much of their space to make biodiesel, it is not likely they will need to buy any from other places.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- In 2023, Argentina is expected to make 1 billion liters of biodiesel. It was recorded as low production, because of low demand for diesel, a low mixing ratio, and reduced exports.
- Argentina’s ethanol production is expected to decrease by 1% year-on-year in 2023 after three consecutive years of growth, mainly because the severe drought in 2022 significantly impacted sugarcane production.
- On September 9, 2023, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, Italy, South Africa, the US, Singapore, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and the UAE. These countries introduced the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) at the G20 Summit.
7. Indonesia – 13.15 Billion Liters
In 2023, Indonesia planned to make 17 million units of biodiesel, but it’s expected that the country will only use about 13.1 million units. By August 2023, Indonesia implemented a nationwide rule where 35% of biodiesel must be mixed with regular diesel, aiming to increase biodiesel use by 25% to 13 billion liters. The government is thinking about raising the mixing percentage beyond 35%. In 2023, around 12.63 million tons of crude palm oil (CPO) were used as biofuel material in Indonesia, showing a slow increase over the past ten years.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- In 2023, Indonesia increased the amount of biodiesel mixed in with regular diesel from 30% to 35% in February.
- This change is known as B35. It meant to lower the need for importing diesel and to cut costs. It was applied across the entire country in August 2023.
- In 2022, Indonesia introduced a plan called Ethanol for Energy Security.
- In 2023, Indonesia’s capacity for making biodiesel is predicted to go over 17 million kiloliters, while the country will use around 13.1 million kiloliters.
- In 2023, Indonesia’s government is getting ready to increase the mix of biodiesel beyond 35%.
- Indonesia’s teamwork with ENI aims to speed up reducing carbon emissions and to match the country’s goal of having no net emissions by 2060.
6. Canada – 15.142 Billion Liters
In 2023, Canada plans to make 1.7 billion liters of plant-based fuel. In 2022, Canada produced 357 million liters of eco-friendly diesel, showing a big increase of 210% from 2010. Canada aims to boost eco-friendly diesel production to 420 million liters in 2023. A report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information predicts that Canadians will use about 2.6% more eco-friendly diesel and renewable fuel this year. The Clean Fuel Regulations, introduced in 2022, require fuel suppliers in Canada to gradually lower the environmental impact of the fuels they make and sell.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- In 2021, Canada launched the Clean Fuels Fund with $1.5 billion to promote the production of cleaner fuels.
- These cleaner fuels include hydrogen, renewable diesel, natural gas, cellulosic ethanol, synthetic fuels, and sustainable aviation fuel.
- Starting in 2023, Canada is enforcing new regulations called Clean Fuel Rules to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels by 13% by 2030.
- Canada’s Clean Fuel Standard aims to boost biofuel production from 3 to 8.5 billion liters annually by 2030.
- Canada plans to increase the use of biofuels from 7% to 15% by 2030, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14 million tonnes per year.
- By 2030, the government aims to use an additional 2.2 billion liters of low-carbon-intensity diesel and 700 million more liters of ethanol.
5. India – 227.124 Million Liters
Biofuels are usually made from crops rich in sugar (like sugarcane, sugar beet, and sweet sorghum), starch (like maize and tapioca), or oils (like soybean, rapeseed, coconut, and sunflower). However, biodiesel projects faced challenges such as very low Jatropha seed yield, limited availability of land, and high plantation and maintenance costs, making them not practical. In 2022, India made 185 million liters of biodiesel, and it is expected to go up to 200 million liters in 2023. Biodiesel comes from vegetable oil, animal fats, and waste oils. According to the IEA’s Net Zero Scenario, advanced biofuels need to increase by 11 times by 2030 from 2022 levels, doubling total biofuels production over the same period. However, current planned investments fall short of achieving this growth.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- In 2018, India made a national plan for biofuels. It sets goals for mixing ethanol (20% by 2030) and biodiesel (5% by 2030) into regular fuels.
- The plan also says which materials can be used to make these fuels and says 11 government groups must work together.
- In June 2022, India mixed 10% ethanol into fuel, and plans to mix 20% by 2025-26.
- This plan wants to make units to make compressed biogas and sell it as a green fuel.
- This plan joins governments, groups, and businesses. It brings together the biggest users and makers of biofuels to grow and use more biofuels.
4. China – 3.701 Billion Liters
In previous years, China made about 3.9 billion liters of fuel ethanol, up by 96 million liters from before. Also, China produced around 3.3 billion liters of biodiesel during that time. China’s biofuels industry was focusing on switching to more advanced biofuels like cellulosic bioethanol, and synthetic ethanol made from coal and industrial flue gas. The main biodiesel producers in China during past years were Zhuoyue New Energy and Zhejiang Jia’ao Environment Protection, each able to produce about 570 million liters. Haixin Energy Technology also produced around 513 million liters.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- A new project for making fuel ethanol through bio-fermentation is now running, using waste gases from the steel industry.
- China expects to produce 1.7 billion liters of biodiesel, a big increase of over 54 percent compared to 2020, mainly due to strong exports.
- China is expected to make 3.9 billion liters of fuel ethanol, with an increase of 96 million liters from the previous year.
3. Brazil – 15.206 Billion Liters
In 2023, Brazil is expected to make about 32.95 billion liters of ethanol, which is 7% more than last year. Similarly, Brazil’s biodiesel production for 2023 is estimated to be 7.5 million cubic meters, showing a 20% increase from 2022. Brazil’s total capacity is now around 15.2 billion liters, up from 13.66 billion liters in 2022 and 11.19 billion liters in 2021. The biofuel market size in Brazil for 2023 is estimated to be about 44.97 million cubic meters. Brazil and the United States are major ethanol producers. In the United States, ethanol is mainly made from corn grain and is often mixed with gasoline to create “gasohol,” a fuel blend containing 10 percent ethanol.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- The CNPE, a Brazilian governmental body, increased the biodiesel rate from 10% to 12% on April 1, 2023.
- Plans are in place to gradually raise the required percentage of biofuels to 13% in 2024, 14% in 2025, and 15% in 2026.
- RenovaBio, initiated in 2017, is Brazil’s National Biofuels Policy.
- It is designed to strengthen national energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- RenovaBio introduces carbon-reduction credits (CBIO), which are given to certified biofuel producers and importers.
- RenovaBio is expected to increase Brazil’s ethanol supply by 45% by 2030, reaching a total output of 50 billion liters.
- Brazil is dedicating resources to research second-generation biofuels that do not directly compete with food crops for land.
2. European Union – 3.785 Billion Liters
New ReFuelEU Aviation law in 2023 requires 6% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030, around 2.76 million tonnes. Currently, the EU’s biofuel capacity falls short, barely reaching a tenth of required levels. Europe’s market for biofuels and biodiesel could be worth $70.7 billion by 2026. With a growth rate of 5.18%, Europe’s biofuel market might surpass $70 billion by the mid-2020s, up from $45.2 billion in 2017.
Recent Initiatives and Development
- In 2023, the EU Parliament and Council agreed on new targets under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). These targets aim for a 14.5% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) or a 29% share of renewable energy in transport by 2030.
- The EU is expected to see a 2% increase in the use of both bioethanol and biodiesel in 2023.
- Due to decreasing supplies of sugar beets, bioethanol production in the EU is anticipated to decline.
- In July 2023, the EU enacted a new law to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector.
- The law targets a 2% reduction in emissions by 2025 and an 80% reduction by 2050, primarily by adopting renewable and low-carbon fuels.
1. United States – 6.056 Billion Liters
In 2023, the United States had the capability to produce 23 billion gallons of biofuels annually, showing a 6% increase from 2022. This capacity encompasses renewable diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, and other types of biofuels. For the first time in 2023, renewable biodiesel and biofuel production have exceeded biodiesel production. Across the nation, the overall capacity for biofuels production which includes renewable diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, and other biofuels reached 23 billion gallons per year (gal/y) by January 2023, marking a 6% rise in total production capacity from January 2022. The expected volume in 2032 of 1.97 billion gallons of BBD (biodiesel) that could be generated from domestically available resources is even less than the 2020 and 2021 BBD obligation of 2.43 billion gallons specified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Recent Initiatives and Development
- The United States is the top ethanol maker worldwide, producing over 15 billion gallons each in 2022 and 2023.
- The U.S. and Brazil together make 80% of the world’s ethanol, mostly from corn in the U.S.
- In 2023, the U.S. produced roughly 15.8 billion gallons of ethanol and 3.1 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel.
- In 2022, U.S. biofuel production reached 61.7 billion liters.
- By 2023, U.S. renewable diesel and other biofuels production capacity increased by 71% compared to 2022.
- U.S. policy aims to raise biofuel production to 36 billion gallons by 2023 by expanding the Renewable Fuel Standard.
- The GBA (Advanced BioFuels USA) works to establish global standards for sustainable biofuel production, encouraging environmentally and socially responsible practices.
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Conclusion – Top 10 Largest Biofuel Production Countries
The top 10 biofuel production countries play a critical role in shaping the global renewable energy landscape and addressing environmental challenges. These nations, including the United States, Brazil, and Germany, have made significant steps in advancing biofuel technologies and increasing production capacities. By harnessing renewable resources such as biomass, they contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change impacts, and promoting energy security. However, challenges remain, including land use conflicts, competition with food production, and technological limitations. Moving forward, collaboration among these countries, along with continued research and innovation, will be essential to further enhance biofuel production efficiency, sustainability, and global adoption. Ultimately, the collective efforts of these nations are crucial in transitioning towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
FAQs on Top 10 Largest Biofuel Production Countries
Which country is the largest producer of biofuel?
The United States is the world’s largest producer of biofuels as per the latest data. The country produced 1,557 petajoules in this year, and is a major producer of biodiesel.
Who is the largest consumer of biofuel in the world?
Annual consumption of ethanol and biodiesel is forecast to exceed 200 billion liters from 2026 onward. The United States is set to remain the single largest biofuel consumer.
Who manufactures biofuel in India?
M.A.V. Biofuels is the to manufacture of biofuel in India.
Which is the largest biofuel plant in India?
The Universal Biofuels plant. Built by Aemetis near the eastern India port of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, the Universal Biofuels plant is the largest biodiesel production facility in India.
Who is the world’s first biofuel economy?
Brazil is considered the biofuel industry leader and the world’s first sustainable biofuels economy.
Who developed biofuel?
Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine in 1897, experimented with using vegetable oil as fuel in his engines. The fuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats that we call biodiesel today is named after him because it is mostly used in diesel engines (as is petroleum diesel fuel).
Where is the world’s largest biofuel located?
Georgia Biomass, located in the Southeastern region of the United States, is the leading supplier of sustainable wood pellets and the largest, most modern facility of its kind in the world.