Biofuels industry gaining momentum

Investment in Canada’s capacity to produce renewable transportation fuels is a key part of the federal government’s strategy to promote a cleaner environment, foster new economic opportunities for the agriculture industry, and ultimately decrease dependence on crude oil as a feedstock for gasoline.

Spearheaded by the federal ministers for the environment, energy and agriculture, the initiative was launched in May 2006 when the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Environment Canada, announced that by 2010 all fuel sold at the pump must have an average five per cent biofuel content. The new standard is part of a national renewable fuels strategy lead by the Government of Canada in cooperation with the provinces, territories and industry.

What are biofuels?

Biofuels are liquid fuels made from organic materials such as grains, oilseeds and animal fats. The two most commonly used biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.

Ethanol is manufactured from organic matter rich in sugars, starch or cellulose. The dominant feedstock for fuel ethanol production in North America is corn, but almost any material containing cellulose, starch or sugar can be used to produce ethanol with existing technology. It is most commonly mixed with gasoline to improve emission quality and enhance performance by increasing the octane level of the fuel.

Biodiesel is derived from animal fats, waste vegetable oils, and crops such as soybean, canola, corn and sunflowers. It is most often blended with conventional diesel fuel to reduce vehicle emissions

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