What Are the Benefits of Biofuels for Industry Users?

As a sustainable and relatively clean alternative to fossil fuels, biofuels are growing in popularity among the driving community. Biomethane and biodiesel are posing credible options for car owners seeking to ween themselves off petrol and diesel, while hydrogen-powered green vehicles are driving forward across Europe, as well.

But while biofuels are invariably associated with the transportation sector, they can be deployed in a variety of industrial applications, too. From providing a low-carbon energy source to generating electricity to lubricating machinery to removing stains, biofuels are a practical and attractive resource for industrial facility owners. But what exactly are their advantages? Here’s a quick rundown of the things which make biofuel such a worthwhile proposition for industry users.

Reduced emissions

First and foremost, biofuels come with a lower greenhouse gas footprint than fossil fuels. While biofuels do entail some unavoidable emissions, these would have occurred naturally as the organic materials used in the manufacturing process decomposed over time. Meanwhile, the substantial volume of methane which is prevented from entering the Earth’s atmosphere (and is instead harnessed as an energy source) more than offsets any emissions they incur, making them an environmentally friendly choice.

Financial benefits

With governments placing more and more emphasis on climate change obligations, there is new legislation coming into effect all the time which penalises heavy polluters and rewards companies with a strong ecological profile. In the UK, for example, the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) regulates the emissions of certain pollutants that power plants are allowed to emit. Switching to biofuels cleans up a company’s profile and meets their legal obligations, all in a single stroke.

Improved public relations

The aforementioned point about enhancing the environmental credentials of a company is not just beneficial from a regulatory perspective, either. Today, consumers are placing an ever-greater emphasis on the environmental performance of the businesses and brands that they are prepared to give their custom to. For that reason, it makes sense to take steps to improve your eco-friendliness so as to set yourself apart as a company that truly cares about the planet – and attract new leads in the process.

Sustainability

Even though a significant majority of industry still depends upon fossil fuels to power their operations, the simple truth is that oil, coal and gas are finite resources which will eventually run out. As they begin to dwindle, the prices attached to them will inevitably rise, causing financial headaches for the companies who have not prepared for the future by transitioning to more sustainable forms of energy generation. Since biofuels are renewable, they can fill that void.

Versatility and affordability

Depending upon where biofuels are created and purchased, they can represent a very cost-effective option for industrial users – especially if they are manufactured from organic waste matter produced at the same site. What’s more, they can be used for a variety of different purposes (such as the ones mentioned in the introduction to this article), making them a highly versatile substance to have in supply at an industrial facility.