Production and use of biofuels for transport in Poland and Brazil – The case of bioethanol

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to compare the markets and methods of production of ethanol to be used in transport in Poland and Brazil. Differences in terminology associated with its use for transport purposes in both countries have been discussed, as well as the market-related aspects of such use, comparing, among other things, the scale of production and use in years 2010–2016 and presenting the results of research on attractiveness (value) of the market of transport biofuels (especially bioethanol) in Poland, which were compared to the perspectives of market development in Brazil.In Brazil, the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption is at the level of 42%, making it a world leader in use of energy from RES (renewable energy sources). 18% of the energy used is sugarcane bioenergy (bioethanol). At present, most of this production is being consumed by the domestic market, where ethyl alcohol is being sold as a pure ethanol fuel or mixed with gasoline.In Poland, the share of energy from renewable sources in end use of energy is 11.8%, and energy from liquid biofuels, including bioethanol, constitutes only 10.8% of this value. Although addition of bioethanol to gasoline available on the Polish market is acceptable, vehicles fueled with pure ethanol (like in Brazil) are not popular in Poland. The quantitative data presented indicates that the market of bioethanol in Poland, in relation to the Brazilian market of ethanol fuel, is very small. Production of this biofuel in Poland in year 2016 was almost 26 billion liters lower in comparison with Brazil. In 2007 the conventional biofuel sectors in Poland were considered to be relatively attractive components of the economy. In the case of methyl esters, the value of their production sector achieved the level of almost 68%, and of ethanol – almost 62%. The current results of research on the value of biofuel sectors in Poland are not encouraging in terms of investing in biofuels of this generation (conventional biofuels). Brazil has the longest history of success in terms of biofuels, in particular, bioethanol, however without a favorable taxation system, bioethanol is still more expensive than gasoline. According to forecasts, biodiesel production and consumption in Brazil are evolving in a linear manner, mainly due to the growing demand for fuel and the associated growth in the fleet of Brazilian vehicles and the perspective of increase of the biodiesel/diesel oil mix in the coming years.