ePure members’ ethanol cuts GHG emissions 79% compared to gasoline

In Belgium, European ethanol biorefineries produced more food and animal feed than fuel in 2024, according to audited data released today by ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association.

ePURE members – representing 85% of EU installed ethanol production capacity – and other European producers of renewable ethanol produced 6.9 million metric tons of food and feed co-products including high-protein animal feed and 5.4 million tons of renewable ethanol last year, according to the audit. Additional co-products included 1.54 million tons of captured biogenic CO2, another strategic domestic product that replaces fossil CO2 in various industrial applications including beverages and greenhouses.

The audit also showed record-high GHG-saving performance of European producers’ ethanol – 79% on average compared to fossil petrol – making its use essential to transport decarbonization by reducing emissions from the petrol and hybrid cars that will predominate on Europe’s roads for many years.