Biofuel

Environmental issues are driving the development of liquid bio-fuels and the Kyoto agreement seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions world-wide.

In the UK a Government target stated in the 2003 Energy White Paper is that carbon dioxide emissions should be reduced by 60% from current levels by 2050. The paper notes that biofuels can potentially represent an important route for reducing transport emissions.

Targets set by the EU Renewable Fuels Directive act as a more immediate driver. The directive states that bio-fuels should achieve a 2% share of the mineral fuels market by 2008 and 5.75% by 2010 in Member States.

It is expected that similar targets will also be set accross other countries including Ukraine which will further increase demand on biofuel feedstocks.

Bio-fuels suitable for use in liquid form for transport applications are limited to bio-diesel from oil crops, animal by-products and bioethanol from maize or sugar crop sources.

Oil Seed Rape is the established European biodiesel crop with Maize in the US.  Insufficient processing plants exist in Ukraine so crop is usually exported prior to crushing.