Biofuel industry in Europe - statistics & facts
The European Union is the world's leading consumer of biodiesel and also among the largest consumers of biofuels in general. Although biodiesel and fuel ethanol account for the vast majority of biofuel consumption on European roads, in recent years, the market for renewable diesel has also grown notably. Following concerns over food security, unsustainable feedstock sourcing, and reports over unexpectedly high emissions, biofuels production and consumption has grown only modestly across the EU, with the exception of newly introduced products such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
Germany and its closest rivals at the production helm
The idea of using vegetable and cooking oils in engines predates the 21st century, however, marketable production only began taking off after the 2000s. With governments and leaders in the transportation industry looking to reduce reliance on petroleum-based fuels, biofuels production in the EU has surpassed 325,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, a record high. Germany, the largest car market on the continent, is also the leading biofuels producer in Europe, though the Netherlands has closed the gap and now produces nearly the same volume. Common feedstocks for ethanol production include crops such as corn and sugar beet, while used cooking oils and animal fats are increasingly important for biodiesel. Use of the latter is especially prevalent in the United Kingdom, but relies heavily on imports.
Import dependence amid shifting supply lines
Roughly 17.5 million metric tons of oil equivalent biofuels are consumed for transportation in the EU every year. In order to meet consumer demand, many European countries are reliant on imports. The import value of biodiesel in Europe rose particularly sharply in 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine war affected purchases of feedstocks. Since then, biodiesel import values have declined but remain well above pre-war levels. Meanwhile, EU fuel ethanol imports have continued to climb, reaching new highs in each of the past three years. In 2024, Germany approved the sale of 100 percent renewable diesel from fuel stations, a move that, combined with the growing share of waste-based feedstocks across EU biodiesel production, signals a broader shift away from traditional crop-based biofuels.
