Biofuel propels new businesses.

Momentum for biofuels is growing. Many see them as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide sustainable energy sources, and ensure domestic supplies of energy. Legislation is being written and government mandates are being issued around the globe to increase production of sustainable energy sources over the next couple of decades. SRI Consulting recently released its new "Chemical Inputs and By-Products of Biofuels" report, which examines the major biofuel processes and provides an understanding of the impact of their chemical inputsand by-products on the chemical industry.

Robert Davenport, director of SRI's safe and sustainable chemicals series, commented, "As the petrochemical industry was developed in concert with the petroleum industry, new chemical businesses will be developed as an outgrowth of the biofuels industry. As more biofuels are produced, there will be a demand for chemicals to assist in their production and a concomitant increase in the number of chemical applications from biofuel by-products."

Davenport added, "Many by-products of the biofuels industry can be used as energy sources, but chemicals provide a higher value." As a result of the rapid growth in biodiesel production, the potential supply of glycerin may exceed ten times current demand. The resulting drop in glycerin prices has prompted new technologies to be developed that can take advantage of the now low-cost feedstock. These new technologies could impact existing producers of products that may soon be glycerin-based, said SRI. The report discusses the major biofuels that will be produced over the next decade and projects consumption of chemicals for several biofuels, based on estimated future production. Processes discussed include biodiesel, bio-ethanol, biobutanol, and others. Information on obtaining the report is available at www. sriconsulting.com.

SRI Consulting