Bioethanol cars: not just a load of rubbish, says INEOS

Waste not, want not

It’s an announcement which comes just days after MindsinMotion.net featured an interview with James Skinner, chairman of sustainable transport company Sustraco, in which he stressed the importance of looking to biomethane, derived from organic waste, to help solve the problem of replacing fossil fuels.

In a statement which echoes Mr. Skinner’s sentiments, INEOS Bio CEO Peter Williams said, "This is very attractive from the perspective of the food versus fuel debate, as it takes fuel production away from corn."

A hot idea...

INEOS claims to be able to produce approximately 400 litres of ethanol from one tonne of dry organic waste, using a new process that superheats the waste to produce gas, which is then fed to bacteria that produce ethanol. This can then be distilled into fuel. INEOS is reputed to be in talks with companies in the U.S., Canada and Europe about bringing the fuel to the commercial market when it is available on a major scale – which is expected to be within the next three years.

"Our technology will make a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gases and the world’s need for fossil fuels," said Williams.

...or just hot air?

However, some commentators remain sceptical about the development. Kenneth Richter, biofuels campaigner at Friends of the Earth, warned about the danger of pinning hopes for future sustainable fuels on such discoveries.

Said Richter, "Instead of gambling on second-generation biofuels, we must urgently invest in real green transport solutions, like more fuel-efficient cars, better public transport and safer routes for cycling and walking."