Ethanol Feedstocks
Almost any plant-based material can be an ethanol feedstock. All plants contain sugars, and these sugars can be fermented to make ethanol in a process called biochemical conversion. Plant material also can be converted to ethanol using heat and chemicals in a process called thermochemical conversion. See Ethanol Production to learn more about these processes.
Some plants are easier to process into ethanol than others. Some require few resources to grow, while others need intensive care. Some are used for food as well as fuel, while others are cultivated exclusively for ethanol; even plant-based wastes can become ethanol. Climate and soil type determine the types and amounts of plants that can be grown in different geographic areas.
Another important consideration is feedstock logistics—the steps necessary to move feedstocks from fields or collection areas to ethanol production plants. For agricultural and forestry feedstocks, these steps include harvesting, transportation, storage, and preprocessing.
Choose from the links below to learn more about ethanol feedstocks.
