Bioetanool

Bioetanool, often referred to as bioetanol, is a renewable alcohol used primarily as a biofuel and as a chemical feedstock. It is produced by fermenting sugars derived from biomass and then purified by distillation to fuel-grade quality. The most common production routes use sugar-rich crops such as sugarcane or maize, where fermentation converts sugars to ethanol, followed by purification. Advanced methods also employ enzymatic hydrolysis to break down lignocellulosic feedstocks—such as agricultural residues, wood, or switchgrass—into fermentable sugars before fermentation.

Feedstocks for bioetanool vary by region and policy. Traditional crops include sugarcane, maize, and wheat, while lignocellulosic materials offer potential for higher sustainability by using non-food biomass. After fermentation, ethanol can be blended with gasoline in varying proportions (for example, E10 or higher blends) or used as a component in dedicated flexible-fuel vehicles. It also serves as a solvent and chemical building block in industry.

Environmental and economic considerations are central to its adoption. Life-cycle analyses often show greenhouse gas reductions compared with fossil fuels, but results depend on feedstock choices, farming practices, processing energy, and land-use effects. Critics point to indirect land-use changes, water use, and fertilizer requirements as potential drawbacks. Global production tends to be concentrated in Brazil and the United States, influenced by agricultural policy, subsidies, and fuel mandates. Safety aspects include the flammability of ethanol and the need for appropriate handling and storage.