France Increases Biofuel Mandates

France’s decision to increase biofuel blending in regular motor vehicle fuel from 7.5% to 7.9% in 2019 and 8.2% in 2020 has been welcomed by French liquid chemicals firm Global Bioenergies.  The mandates are part of the 2019 finance bill, passed by the French National Assembly last December, with an ultimate blending target of 15% in 2030.  The bill gives priority to local feedstock and includes provisions to support biofuels made from residual or lignocellulosic matter.  

Global Bioenegies has developed a process to convert sugar, crops and agricultural and forestry waste into isobutene, one of the most important petrochemical building blocks that can be converted into gasoline, jet fuel, cosmetic ingredients, plastics and elastomers.