Ethanol, Biodiesel Energy Business Opportunities, Investing, Case Studies

Take Part in the Biofuel Revolution

Biofuels - in the form of biodiesel and ethanol - are already a reality in many parts of the world. The future potential of biofuel is much higher than its present status, with less than 3% of the total world's transportation fuels currently being substituted by biofuels. With a large variety in feedstock choices and production processes, and continuous innovations in technologies, the biofuels industry is poised to provide immense opportunities to a range of businesses both small and large.

Revolution happening in biofuels energy industry

Biofuels can be classified into ethanol (as a substitute for gasoline), and biodiesel (as a substitute for diesel). Since 2000, the biofuels industry has been characterized by significant research and experimentation of a number of feedstocks and processes.

Structure and Evolution of First, Second and Third Generation Biofuels Industry

Global biofuels production has tripled from 4.8 billion gallons in 2004 to about 16.0 billion gallons in 2007, but still accounts for less than 2 percent of the global transportation fuel supply.

Production of biofuels is expected to increase multifold between 2007 and 2030. Some country snapshots are listed below:

Global ethanol production more than doubled between 2000 and 2005, to more than 34 billion liters (9 billion gallons). From 2007 to 2008, production dramatically rose again, increasing from 49 to 65 billion liters (13 to 17.2 billion gallons), a growth rate of 33%. Global production of biodiesel, starting from a much smaller base, expanded significantly during the period 2004-08.
The US has been a prime driver of growth in ethanol as biofuel.
In Brazil, already the world's largest ethanol producer, a study conducted by the University of Campinas for the Ministry of Science and Technology showed that the country could lift annual exports of ethanol derived from sugarcane to 200 billion litres (53 billion gallons) by 2025.
Several other developing countries (eg Thailand, India, China) are strengthening their production and use of biofuels, and Malaysia has announced its intention of producing biodiesel from palm oil for export to Europe.
In Australia, the government has set an annual target of 350 million litres (93 million gallons) of biofuel production by 2010.

Biofuels industry is experiencing revolution with the identification of second and third generation feedstocks such as jatropha, algae etc and technologies such as thermochemical methods which could result in large-scale production of biofuels from less costly and more easily available feedstocks. Investments in research and commercialization are quickly moving into second and third generation feedstocks and technologies.

Current feedstocks for biodiesel and ethanol used in various regions worldwide are:

Current Feedstocks for Biodiesel Worldwide

Country/Region	Feedstock
USA	Soybeans
Europe/EU	Rapeseed, Sunflower
Africa	Jatropha
India	Jatropha
Malaysia / Indonesia	Palm
Philippines	Coconut
Some unique oilseeds used for biodiesel
Spain	Linseed Oil
Greece	Cottonseed

Current Feedstocks Used for Ethanol Worldwide

Country / Region	Feedstock
USA	Corn, Sorghum, Maize
South America / Brazil	Sugarcane
India	Sugarcane
Europe	Sugar beet

Snapshots of status and potential of biofuels energy

Renewable Energy Sources	Capacity (GW)		Market Size (billion $)		Market Size Growth Rate (%)
Renewable Energy Sources	2008	Future Estimates	2008	Future Estimates	Market Size Growth Rate (%)
Ethanol	17.3 billion gallons	33.9 billion gallons (2018)	43.25	101.7	9
Biodiesel	5 billion gallon (2009)	14.4 billion gallons (2015)	7.5	43.2	34

Government mandates and incentives for biofuels

Over a hundred countries worldwide have mandates and targets for the use of biofuels. These are usually in the form of total amount of biofuel production, or in the form of minimum blending percentages with fossil transportation fuels. The governments of all these countries recognize that it will require significant assistance and support in the form of tax breaks, grants, subsidies and more for their biofuel plans to become a reality. As a result, all around the world, in a number of countries, incentive frameworks are being evolved that encourage significant investments in biofuels.

How can individuals and entrepreneurs benefit from this dramatic opportunity?

Biofuels energy industry presents attractive opportunities to a wide range of people, including investors and entrepreneurs.

Business opportunities by scale of investments required

Scale of Investment	Type of Opportunity
Low	Distributing biofuels in a small locality Growing biofuel feedstock on a small scale Training people for biofuel industry
Medium	Growing biofuel feedstock on a medium scale Taking care of logistics for biofuels manufacturers Setting up medium scale biofuel manufacturing plants Setting up medium-scale biofuel distribution network Setting up manufacturing plants for chemicals, components and accessories for the biofuels industry Setting up manufacturing units for a range of biofuels related products - such as generators, stoves and so on.
High	Cultivating biofuel feedstock (eg., soy, rapeseed, switchgrass) on a large scale Setting up large-scale biofuel manufacturing plants Involving in large-scale distribution of biofuels

Small Scale Business Opportunities:

Setting up small scale biofuel production plant to produce biodiesel from locally available seeds that contain oils.
Growing biofuel feedstock on a small scale. For instance, in Jatropha projects, apart from the Indian, African, and Southeast Asian countries, the trends in small scale projects are being initiated in new countries.

Medium Scale Business Opportunities:

Setting up manufacturing plants for chemicals, and enzymes. Enzymes could play an increasingly important role in the world of biofuels
Setting up manufacturing plants for components and accessories for the biofuels industry.
Setting up manufacturing units for a range of biofuels related products - such as generators, stoves and so on.

Large Scale Business Opportunities:

Setting up large-scale biofuel manufacturing plants. Even high end transportation segments such as the aviation industry has started testing the use of biofuels, possibly signaling a significant acceleration in the use of biofuels in the transportation industry.

Presenting the Biofuels Profits Report

While there is a large amount of data and inputs available online and offline about the biofuels energy industry, these inputs do not readily answer specific and practical questions that entrepreneurs who are just about to enter this industry have in mind. The objective of the Biofuels Energy Profits Report is to demystify the biofuels energy industry and provide precise and practical answers to the critical questions.

The report has been prepared after intensive research for over a year by a team of industry, scientific and market research experts. During the preparation, a large number of diverse data sources related to biofuels - both primary and secondary - were used. These included interviews with biofuels experts and consultants, data from high-end consultants, inputs from a number of seminars and conferences on biofuels, white papers, industry and research journals were used.

The Biofuels Profits Report provides strategic advice and numerous case studies on the prominent and emerging biofuels industry, and will be immensely useful for entrepreneurs, businesses and individuals who are keen on understanding the business case in the biofuels industry and devising an effective strategy for this exciting business segment.

What will you know after reading this report?

How can you personally and professionally benefit from this revolution?

How have entrepreneurs been able to make a difference to the world while at the same time making profits?

How have small businesses become multi-billion dollar businesses within a decade by investing in biofuels energy?

How can you shift from working in your existing, standard industry into the industry of the future?

What immediate steps can you take so that you have made your first, productive moves in this direction?

Where should you look for advice and guidance for investing in biofuels energy stocks?

The Biofuels Profits Report provides precise insights and precise inputs for the following questions

How did the successful entrepreneurs succeed in this industry?

Does the biofuels energy industry have attractive small business opportunities?

What are the current and future trends in biofuels energy sources worldwide?

What are the segments in biofuels energy and sustainability industries that have the most attractive business potential?

What are the trends and new developments in biofuels energy technologies?

What are the investment trends and opportunities in biofuels energy and sustainability industries?

What segments of the biofuels energy industry are attractive for small scale investments?

What are the most significant problems or bottlenecks in biofuels energy business?

What steps should an entrepreneur take should she/he be interested in exploring further?

Unique topics on which you will find insights in the report

Information, insights and market research data are provided on a number of emerging trends in biofuels energy and sustainability, along with the business opportunities that they represent.

Biofuels

Algae fuel

Biomass gasification

Biofuel from jatropha

Biomass to liquids (BTL)

Ethanol from cellulose

Microbial biofuel production

Photobioreactors

Green Jobs

Construction managers

Due diligence consultants

Efficiency engineers

Electrical engineers

Engineering designers

Environmental consultants

Fabrication specialists

Finance managers & analysts

Geochemists

Green energy product specialist

Grid connectivity experts

Process engineers

Service engineers

Technicians

Price: $ 150

List of Contents

Section 1: Status and Trends in Alternative Energy Sources

1. Introduction to Alternative Energy and Sustainability Industries 1.1 Introduction to Alternative Energy Sources	Figures Schematic Representation of Primary and Emerging Sources of Energy Tables Prominent Aspects of Sustainability
2. Biofuel – Industry Status and Trends 2.1 Introduction to the Biofuel Industry 2.2 Present and Future Potential for Biofuels 2.2.1 Ethanol – Current and Future Potential 2.2.2 Biodiesel – Current and Future Potential 2.3 Biofuel Mandates, Initiatives and Incentives 2.4 Problems in Biofuels	Figures First, Second and Third Generation Biofuels Global Biofuel production 2007 US Ethanol Production Global Biodiesel Production & Capacity Tables Current Feedstocks Used for Biodiesel Worldwide Current Feedstocks Used for Ethanol Worldwide 2007 World Fuel Ethanol Production Projected Biodiesel Production Until 2015 Use & Blending Share Targets (T) and Mandates (M) for Liquid Biofuels EU Member States Goals for the Use of Biofuels as Transportation Fuel Biofuels - Advantages & Disadvantages
3. Value Chain and Prominent Companies in the Biofuel Domain 3.1 Biofuel Value Chain 3.2 Prominent Biofuel Companies	Figures Biofuel Value Chain Tables Sample Companies/Organizations in Each Part of the Biofuel Value Chain Prominent Biofuel Companies
Section 2: Case Studies and Business Opportunities in Biofuel Industry 4. Biofuels – Case Studies and Business Opportunities 4.1 Biofuels Case Studies 4.2 Biofuels Business Opportunities 4.2.1 Opportunities Framework 4.2.2 New Opportunities Arising for Entrepreneurs and Companies in Biofuel 4.2.3 What Else is New in Biofuels? 4.2.4 Sample Equipments and Components Used in the Biofuel Industry	Figures Flowchart of Closed Loop Biofuel Production Tables Biofuels Business Opportunities by Investments Required Biofuels Business Opportunities by Type of Industry Sample Case Studies How did Sapphire Energy produce a renewable fuel without the downsides of ethanol and biodiesel? What process required the fewest steps, was the most environmentally responsible, and resulted in the highest value fuel? How two entrepreneurs have started the E-Fuel Corporation, which will sell a washer-and-dryer-sized home ethanol system at low cost. What are the efforts taken by the company to produce the world's first flight of a commercial aircraft powered with biofuel in an effort to show it can produce less carbon dioxide than normal jet fuels.
5. Next Steps for an Entrepreneur Keen on Exploring the Alternative Energy Industry 5.1 Tips & Suggestions 5.2 Mistakes to be Avoided 6. Careers in Biofuel Industry 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Alternative and Renewable Energy Jobs FAQ 6.3 Sample Career in Biofuel Industry Section 3: Biofuel Industry – Costs and Investments 7. Costs and Investments 7.1 Capital & Operational Expenses for Biofuel 7.2 Biofuel Costs - Notes and Trends 7.3 Investments in Biofuel 7.4 Investment Data Trends in Biofuel Industry 7.4.1 Venture Capital Financing 7.4.2 Investments in Biofuels	Tables Capital & Operational Expenses for Various Renewable Energy Sources Energy Returned on Energy Invested for Biofuels Sample Investment Data for Biofuels New Investments in Sustainable Energy Investment VC / PE Investment in Biofuels by Stage
8. Investing in Green Stocks 8.1 Guide for Green Investing 8.1.1 Global Alternative Energy Indexes 8.1.2 Other Guides for Green Investing 8.2 Some Perspectives on Alternative Energy Investing Section 4: References 9.Useful Web Resources for an Entrepreneur – News, Guides, Message Boards, Blogs 9.1 News Sites 9.2 Blogs 9.3 Forums 9.4 Portals & Guides	Tables Alternative Energy News Sites Bioenergy News Alternative & Renewable Energy Blogs Biofuels Blogs Alternative Energy Forum Biofuels Forum Alternative Energy Portals & Guides Bioenergy Portal
10. Biofuel Associations for the Top 10 Countries