What is Bioethanol?

Ethanol is the trivial name and common term for Ethyl Alcohol. Ethanol traded by CREMER OLEO is always bioethanol. It was produced by fermenting biomass containing sugar, starch or cellulose, e. g. from sugar cane or grains. Therefore, CREMER OLEO's ethanol is always a natural, renewable product. We do not offer synthetic ethanol. 

Ethanol is a saturated straight chain alcohol. Physically, ethanol is a water-soluble, clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic smell and a low boiling point.

Whether used in fuel, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs or in technical applications, Ethanol is a very useful and versatile raw material.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Bioethanol

Alternativ designations:

  • Ethyl Alcohol

Molecular formula:

  • C2H6O

CAS number:

  • 64-17-5

Molar mass:

  • 46,07 g·mol−1

Bioethanol Structural Formula

Aggregat state:

  • Liquid

Color:

  • Colorless

Smell:

  • Characteristic

Density:

  • 0,7893 g·cm−3 (20 °C)

Melting point:

  • -114,5°C

Boiling point / decomposition temperature:

  • > 35°C

Flash point:

  • 15 – 20°C

Spontaneous ignition:

  • 400°C / 752°F

Danger of explosion:

  • The product does not present an explosive hazard; however, explosive vapor-air mixtures can form.

Solubility in / miscibility with water:

  • Fully miscible with water
     

Production and Origin of Bioethanol

Bioethanol is produced in four stages: 

  • Milling of feedstocks
  • Fermentation of the mass
  • Distillation
  • Adsorbation / Dehydration

If the biomass is coming from grains or cellulosic materials, five stages are used: An enzymatic process between the milling of feedstock and fermentation of the same is necessary.

Denatured or undenatured?

Bioethanol is subject to excise duty. National authorities strictly control all shipments. Denaturing makes ethanol non-drinkable. Denatured ethanol can be delivered under excise exemption, provided that the national authorities accept the added product as denaturant. 

CREMER OLEO supplies denatured and undenatured ethanol. We will gladly take over the denaturing of your ethanol for you - just contact us. Read more about our production and contract manufacturing offers. We always try to find the best solution for your specific requirements.

CREMER OLEO's Bioethanol Portfolio

  • Fuel Ethanol
  • Industrial Ethanol 99% 
  • Industrial Ethanol 96%
  • Crude Ethanol
  • Further qualities on request

Specifications:

  • EN Grade 15376
  • ETBE Grades

Form:

  • Liquid

Packaging / Bulk:

  • Vessel/Barg
  • RTCs
  • Truck

Packaging / Packed:

  • IBC Containers
  • Drums

Certification:

  • HACCP

Sustainability:

  • REDCert EU (Nabisy)

Please find our Flyer on bioethanol in the download center

Uses of Bioethanol from CREMER OLEO

Biofuels

The most widespread use of ethanol is in fuel production. Adding a proportion of bioethanol to conventional gasoline reduces greenhouse gas emissions during combustion. In Europe, blends of 5 or 10 percent bioethanol by volume are common. The resulting fuel is designated E5 or E10. In other regions of the world, for example in South America, much higher blends are common, up to and including pure bioethanol operation of vehicles. Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on gasoline, the alcohols methanol and ethanol, or any mixture of these three fuels.

In addition, ethanol can be used as a feedstock for the production of ETBE, a blending component in gasoline that offers a non-hygroscopic property.

Mixed with emulsifiers, ethanol can further be used as a fuel for modified diesel engines. This is mainly used for greenhouse gas savings in buses and heavy vehicles in large cities.

CREMER OLEO Products for Biofuels

Industrial and technical Uses

In the technical field, ethanol is for example used to manufacture antifreeze agents and windshield wiping fluids. As CREMER OLEO bioethanol is listed on ECHA's Article 95 list, it can be used as a biocide, for example in the production of disinfectants. In detergents and cleaning agents, ethanol enhances the effect of the other substances. In liquid or gel detergents, it often serves as a preservative that inhibits the spread of bacteria and fungi and in this way increases the shelf life of the product. 

Furthermore, ethanol is frequently used in the production of paints, inks, varnishes and alkyd resins, as a heat bearer, in aerosols and also in the off shore industries, just to name a few application areas. We also supply bottlers of ethanol for ethanol fireplaces.

Household and Cleaning Products

When it comes to their clothes or households, more and more consumers want sustainable cleaning and care products. They focus is on natural raw materials. Their use is easily traceable. CREMER OLEO offers a wide range of plant-based or 2nd generation ingredients for your homecare products. 

Nutrition

There is a broad scope for the use of ethanol in foodstuffs and beverages: as flavor enhancer, in vineager production and as base for various drinks and confectionary. Please ask for our offer of food grade bioethanol!

Cosmetics

As it is harmless for health and environment, skin-friendly and odorless, bioethanol is used as a carrier and natural solvent in cosmetics and personal care products.

In creams, ethanol is used as an evaporation agent of various filler ingredients. As ethanol is also odorless, it is a good base for adding perfume and is used as a substance carrier in personal and hair care products.

Pharmaceuticals

Ethanol is one of the most widely used ingredients in drugs and pharmaceuticals. It is a solvent and a chemical reactant in cough syrup, medicinal capsules and disinfectants. If you are looking for bioethanol pharma grade, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Contact

Your contact person for Bioethanol:

Malte Kroll

Business Director Ethanol
Phone: +49 40 32011 – 249
Write an email

Kim Isabel Klüver

Senior Trader Ethanol
Phone: +49 40 32011 – 229
Write an email

Your contact person for industrial ethanol:

Marco Schumann

Business Manager Industrial Ethanol
Phone: +49 40 32011 - 269
Write an email

 

Excise tax

Ethanol is subject to excise duty, national authorities strictly control all shipments. Within the EU and UK, excise tax rates vary between member states and can be a multiple of the retail price. We place a high priority on complying with the regulations of the EU member states in which we operate. Our ethanol can be delivered undenatured, without any additional products. In this case, you as the consignee must present a permit from your national authorities to receive ethyl alcohol under excise suspension. Denatured ethanol can be delivered under excise exemption, provided that the national authorities accept the added product as denaturant. We would like to point out once again that the individual EU member states each have their own regulations regarding the acceptance of ethanol. It depends on the local national legislation whether a special permit is required and under which conditions a recipient may receive ethyl alcohol. For more information, please read the general European excise regulations and check with your local excise authorities.