Cereals and oilseeds can be used in a wide range of applications, from the production of biodegradeable packaging, to biofuels and building materials. HGCA is encouraging the development of these alternative uses.
Bioethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting sugar and starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Bioethanol is a petrol blend that can be used in all petrol car engines when blended up to 5 per cent.
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The global biofuel market continues to expand as more countries look to combat climate change and increase energy security. Currently, the two main biofuel markets are for bioethanol, derived from starch or sugar crops, and biodiesel from oil-rich plants. The US and Brazil continue to dominate the bioethanol market and the EU is the leading biodiesel producer and consumer.
The UK biofuel industry is still relatively small; however, given the introduction of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation in April 2008, it is set to expand in the next few years.

This tool calculates the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions resulting from production and supply of biofuels in the United Kingdom. It also compares these greenhouse gas emissions with those generated from production of equivalent quantities of the fossil-based transport fuels.
Bio-based plastics- Feedstocks, Production and the UK market
HGCA and the British Plastics Federation (BPF) have launched a webpage detailing the current feedstocks used for bio-based plastic manufacture. Bio-based plastics (widely known as bioplastics) are environmentally-friendly plant biomass derived, renewable and sustainable plastics.
5 Sep 2008 to 31 Jul 2009
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offering Timely updates on news relating to the biofuel and industrial crop sectors providing information on UK, EU and world biofuel markets, the latest research and links to further information and organisations.