Current status of biotechnological processes in the biofuel industries

Biofuels are crucial to strengthen a more sustainable economy toward the development of green technologies. Despite an increasing share in the global energy matrix due to international agreements and new public policies designed to promote alternative sources of energy, and also the global concerning about the emission of CO2, biofuels must still address several challenges to feasibility. This chapter provides a brief overview of bioethanol, biodiesel, biobutanol, biogas, and microalgal biomass based fuels. It explores production process and new alternative methods, feedstock, and the main bottlenecks, as well as economic challenges and issues that are being investigated to advance the development of biofuels. Worldwide market of each biofuel and the principal producers are discussed. In summary, bioethanol and biobutanol from lignocellulosic residues and biodiesel from vegetable oils have proved to be feasible to commercialize, even though there are some limitations that must be overcome. Regarding biogas and production of biofuels from algae, more efforts from the academic and industrial sides are required to make them economically competitive. Integration of different biofuels production systems and the use of low-cost feedstocks could help to decrease facilities costs and attract more investments. Furthermore, biotechnological tools and new chemical routes must be explored to improve biofuels yield in an environmentally friendly way.