Biofuel Manufacturing Industry Profile

Companies in this industry produce ethyl alcohol, known as ethanol, and biodiesel fuel. Major biofuel manufacturers include Green Plains, Poet, and Renewable Energy Group (all based in the US), along with Abengoa (Spain), Cosan (Brazil), and Novozymes (Denmark); as well as units of oil and gas producers such as Chevron and Valero, and crop processors such as Archer Daniels Midland and Bunge.

The global biofuels market is forecast to reach more than $200 billion by 2030, according to Statista. The Middle East and Africa are among the top countries with expected growth. Factors influencing growth in the industry include government mandates and incentives, which in turn are driven largely by concerns about the environment, fossil fuel dependence, and waste management.

The US biofuel manufacturing industry includes about 200 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $30 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by motor vehicle use and government requirements that ethanol be blended into gasoline. The profitability of biofuel production facilities depends on prices of gasoline and diesel, which fluctuate based on world petroleum demand and domestic refinery use. Economies of scale in ethanol production are limited due to the transportation costs associated with gathering feedstocks (corn and other biomasses) and transporting the ethanol to blending sites. Small companies can compete effectively by developing business relations with distributors and by delivering consistently. The US industry ...