Biofuels in industry

Types of biofuels used in industry

Biofuels are of organic origin and can be produced from various raw materials, both plant- and animal-based. The primary types of biofuels used in industry include:

• Bioethanol - a fuel derived from plant biomass, primarily from raw materials like corn, sugarcane, or sugar beets. It is mainly used in the chemical industry and for powering combustion engines.
• Biodiesel - obtained from vegetable oils (e.g., rapeseed, soybean) or animal fats, biodiesel serves as a substitute for traditional diesel fuel in diesel engines. It is widely used in the transport industry and generators.
• Biogas - produced via anaerobic fermentation of organic matter, such as agricultural waste, food waste, or sewage sludge. It is used to generate electricity and heat in cogeneration installations.
• Biomass - encompassing materials like wood, sawdust, straw, and agricultural waste, biomass is burned to produce heat or electricity, often in combination with traditional fuels.
• Green hydrogen - hydrogen produced from biomass, considered a future solution due to its lack of CO₂ emissions during combustion. Although still in development, biohydrogen holds potential for the energy and chemical industries.

Applications of biofuels in industrial sectors

Biofuels are utilized across various industrial sectors, particularly where minimizing environmental impact is crucial:

Chemical industry

The chemical industry, one of the largest energy consumers, relies on efficient energy resource management. Biofuels such as bioethanol, produced from plant biomass, serve as raw materials for producing plastics, solvents, and chemical additives. Green hydrogen, an eco-friendly alternative to conventional hydrogen, offers significant potential for reducing pollutant emissions in chemical and energy processes.

Food industry

The food processing sector can harness biofuels like biogas, generated from organic waste, to power production processes. Biogas used in cogeneration optimizes energy efficiency while lowering costs and environmental impact. This aligns with the principles of a circular economy by converting waste into energy, reducing residual waste.

Paper industry

The paper industry, with its high energy demands, benefits from biofuels like biomass. Wood waste and organic residues can be burned in industrial boilers to produce steam and heat energy essential for drying paper, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs.

Transport industry

Logistics, particularly trucking, can leverage biofuels like biodiesel as a substitute for traditional diesel. Bioethanol can be blended with gasoline, cutting CO₂ emissions and operating costs. Such solutions contribute to greener supply chains and sustainable development goals.

Metal and cement industries

Energy-intensive sectors like metal and cement production can adopt biofuels as alternatives to fossil fuels. Biomass and biogas can fuel furnaces for producing metals and cement, reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

"Biofuels provide industries with a powerful tool to reduce CO₂ emissions while transforming organic waste into a valuable energy source. Incorporating biogas or biomass into production processes marks a significant step towards improving energy efficiency and fostering a circular economy. Within zero-emission strategies, such solutions not only support environmental protection but also help lower operating costs. This represents the future of industry - balancing planetary preservation with sustainable business goals." says Piotr Danielski, PhD, Technical Director at DB Energy.

Where are biofuels most effective?

Biofuels are most effective in scenarios where technological and energy processes can be optimized by utilizing available organic raw materials. For example, the food and agricultural industries can fully leverage their waste to produce biogas, significantly reducing operational costs. Similarly, chemical plants can efficiently transform biomass into bioethanol or biohydrogen, incorporating these resources into further technological processes.  
The effectiveness of biofuel utilization also heavily relies on infrastructure. Companies equipped with cogeneration facilities can maximize the benefits of heat and electricity derived from biofuels, enhancing overall efficiency while reducing costs.

The impact of biofuels on greenhouse gas emissions

Although biofuels are not entirely zero-emission, they are considerably more sustainable than fossil fuels. While their combustion releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), the plants used to produce biofuels absorb equivalent amounts of CO₂ during growth, making biofuels essentially carbon-neutral.   
However, the production and transportation of biofuels also contribute to emissions. These include emissions from crop cultivation (e.g., fertilizer use, agricultural machinery) and biomass processing. Nevertheless, compared to fossil fuels, biofuels significantly lower overall greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the transition to a greener economy.

Advantages and challenges of biofuels

Advantages:

• Renewability - biofuels are produced from renewable raw materials, ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Emission reduction - they help lower CO₂ emissions, aiding compliance with environmental standards.
• Local sourcing - dependence on imported fuels diminishes, reducing transport costs.
• Circular economy - organic waste is converted into energy, supporting waste reduction.

Challenges:

• High initial costs - installing biofuel-compatible systems involves significant investment.
• Resource availability - limited access to raw materials can affect supply stability.
• Energy efficiency - some biofuels, like biogas, may be less efficient than fossil fuels.

The impact of biofuels on emissions

Biofuels are not entirely zero-emission but are more sustainable than fossil fuels. While their combustion emits CO₂, this is offset by the CO₂ absorbed during biomass growth, making them carbon-neutral. However, emissions from cultivation, processing, and transport must also be considered.

The adoption of biofuels across industries like chemical, food, paper, and transport is pivotal for achieving zero-emission goals. While challenges such as investment costs and resource availability exist, the benefits - including emission reductions, financial savings, and alignment with environmental regulations are substantial. Biofuels represent a sustainable future, offering industries a path toward energy efficiency and climate neutrality.