BOOSTING ALTERNATIVE CROPS FOR THE BIODIESEL OF NEXT TOMORROW: HAS EUROPE LAGGED BEHIND?

摘要

According to the Renewable Energy Roadmap and Biofuels Progress Report, the Commission proposesto set a binding minimum target for biofuels of 10% of transport fuel by 2020. Today, practically all biodieselproduced in Europe is obtained from only two crops, rapeseed and sunflower. The introduction of new or alternativecrops could be therefore highly desirable to diversify the supply while increasing biodiversity. In Europe, a number ofprivate initiatives or public projects are currently undertaking alternative biodiesel crops, that not necessary are novelspecies, adapted to European conditions. Generally, these programmes are still in their infancy that testifies asignificant lag behind of Europe with respect to other industrialised countries (e.g. USA). Within the EuropeanProject “Crops2Industry” (Seventh Framework Programme), three potentially important alternative crops forbiodiesel have been identified for the European conditions, namely: Cuphea viscosissima, Lunaria annua andEuphorbia lagascae. The present article aims at reporting mini-reviews on the potentialities of these species forbiodiesel market in Europe. The three species show important seed oil yields and oil composition, which is rich inmedium chain saturated fatty acids, and poor in long chain saturated fatty acids and in polyunsaturated fatty acids.This makes oil viscous, resistant to frost and oxidant agents. Overall, the oils of these crops for their maincharacteristics appear well adapted to be processed for biodiesel production, and also for alternative industrialapplications (e.g. technical oils). There is evidence that these crops may have a future as biodiesel crops in theEuropean marketplace. Therefore, there is the need to create social awareness on their potentialities as valuablealternative crops to rapeseed and sunflower in Europe.