European Renewable Ethanol Association (ePURE)
ePURE represents the interests of European renewable ethanol producers to the EU institutions, industry stakeholders, the media, academia and the general public. Based in Brussels, ePURE speaks for 42 member companies and associations, with around 50 plants across the EU and UK, accounting for about 85% of EU renewable ethanol production. The organisation, established in 2010, promotes the beneficial uses of ethanol throughout Europe.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Renewable Energy
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
About Us
- 43 Member Companies and Associations
- 50 Plants
- 85% of EU renewable ethanol production
From Europe’s farms to Europe’s future, ethanol biorefineries are key to building a better tomorrow – one in which we reduce carbon emissions, secure food systems and ensure energy independence.
European biorefineries have a wide reach – they produce food, feed, renewable ethanol, and other key products for diverse European industries. And although you might not see it the impact of the work they do is everywhere.
Renewable ethanol, also known as bioethanol, is a low-carbon fuel alternative that can help us power today’s cars and accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels – while building a more resilient and strategically independent Europe.
Made from multi-purpose crops and agricultural waste, bioethanol is the result of close collaboration between European farmers and biorefineries. Beyond providing us with a low-carbon fuel alternative, European biorefineries also produce high-quality animal feed and other valuable by-products such as biogenic CO2, commonly used for carbonated drinks, which we otherwise have to import or produce from fossil fuels.
Despite their importance to European food, energy and industrial sectors, these products still come in large quantities from overseas. Why overlook a homegrown, versatile, and low-carbon fuel solution that can help us build the future we aspire to today?
It’s time to recognise the value of European biorefineries in achieving Europe’s carbon neutrality targets – a common objective of all sectors – strengthening our food systems and paving the way for a more autonomous future.
With renewable ethanol, that future can start today.
It can help reduce greenhouse emissions from transport today
It supports farmers and contributes to our food supply
It reduces our need for fossil CO2 used in several industries
1. European renewable ethanol can help defossilise transport fuel and reduce greenhouse emissions today
Most cars on the road today can effortlessly make the switch to ethanol-blended fuels – like E10 (which contains up to 10% ethanol) – and so can most petrol stations. If all petrol cars in the EU were to switch to E10 fuel today, the impact on CO2 emissions would be equivalent to taking 8.2 million cars off the road and avoiding 42 million barrels of oil imports.
The EU Green Deal aims to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions – but with alternatively powered cars still comprising a small minority of our current car fleet, electrification cannot be the only solution if we are to meet our targets in time.
European biofuels can make a meaningful impact in achieving the EU’s 2030 emission reduction targets, improving our energy independence and creating a more resilient Europe.
Using a small fraction of arable land without danger of deforestation, European biorefineries produce food, feed and renewable fuel that complies with strict EU legislation.
When it comes to using multipurpose crops, it’s not a matter of choosing between fuel or food: it’s producing fuel and food. In 2023, ePURE members’ ethanol biorefineries produced 6.5 million tonnes of food and high-protein – more food and feed produced than fuel.
What’s more? Biorefineries create thousands of jobs across the EU, supporting farmers, strengthening local communities and fostering rural communities. Every year, the production of crop-based biofuels, including bioethanol, generates over €6.6 billion in revenue for farmers – boosting Europe’s self-sufficiency and improving our food supply.
When producing bioethanol, European biorefineries also generate and capture biogenic CO2, which exceeded 1.4 million tonnes in 2023 alone.
This biogenic carbon, which is already present in the atmosphere, is released by plants and agricultural waste as they decompose. By capturing and storing this biogenic CO2 instead, we’re not only making more efficient use of existing resources, but also reducing our need to use fossil fuels to generate CO2. A circular process in which nothing is lost.
Whether it’s for putting the bubbles in your drinks, improving plant growth across greenhouses or producing e-fuels, biogenic carbon is a versatile product that can be used in a wide range of industries. All of this helps to reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil CO2 and ensure a more robust domestic supply.
ePURE unites 50 bioethanol plants across Europe, accounting for about 85% of EU renewable ethanol production. Our members across the continent harness innovation, sustainability, and socially inclusive change in the fight for a more resilient, carbon-neutral Europe.
European biorefineries and the renewable ethanol they produce are a strategic resource that can help decarbonise transport, support agriculture, and capture and generate high-quality biogenic CO2.
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What We Do
- Agriculture
- Biofuels and Alternative Fuels
- Environment
- Energy
- Fuels
- Research & Development
- Taxation
- Trade & Customs
- Transport