Profile analysis of biodiesel producers in Brazil during 2005–2015

ABSTRACT

Petroleum-derived fuels such as diesel, natural gas and coal have been the main sources of energy for the global energy matrix. Due to this, there is a necessity to implement new technologies to increase biofuel production from renewable sources, such as the use of soybean oil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of the companies that were established to produce B100 biodiesel in Brazil from 2005 to 2015. The research was developed using data from scientific articles, master's dissertations and PhD theses, statistical yearbooks, laws and decrees in force. It also used data collections published by the government agencies and representative entities from the biodiesel sector for the elaboration of a correlation matrix for average prices of biodiesel, diesel oil and soybean oil. The average B100 biodiesel prices between 2011 and 2015 have been lower than the average selling prices from soybean oil. Currently, the biodiesel unit comprises 71.14% large production units, 20.31% medium production units and 8.55% small production units of B100 biodiesel. The participation of transnational companies in the biodiesel market is responsible for a significant portion of the installed production capacity in Brazil.

KEYWORDS:

• Biofuel
• economy development
• soybean oil
• diesel
• auctions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.