Biodiesel market share in Ecuador: Current situation and perspectives

The current situation and the prospects for an increase in the biodiesel market share in Ecuador were analyzed. The substitution of up to 15% of diesel (4.88 million barrels) would be possible using the surplus of African palm oil and the pinion crop expansion (1000 times). This would decrease the emitted CO₂ (611,303 tons/year). Despite in Ecuador the biodiesel cost is 53% higher than diesel cost, the social and economic co-benefits at the pinion producer level must also be considered. To reduce the pinion oil costs, it is necessary to improve its performance (use sophisticated technologies). The use of other raw materials (e.g. lignocellulosic waste) could be another alternative.