Biofuel production hits all-time high

The production of biofuel hit an all-time high in 2010, new figures have revealed.

According to the Worldwatch Institute's Climate and Energy Program, some 105 billion litres of biofuel were produced in 2010, an increase of 17 per cent on the figures from 2009.

It is thought the rise could be attributed to an increase in global oil prices as well as efforts by governments to create green policies by demanding an alternative to petroleum.

Due to uneven ethanol production in Brazil in 2010, the US became a main exporter of the fuel for the first time by selling a record 1.3 billion litres abroad, an increase on 2009's figures by more than 300 per cent.

"Although the US and Brazil are the world leaders in ethanol, the largest producer of biodiesel is the European Union, which generated 53 percent of all biodiesel in 2010," said Alexander Ochs, director of Worldwatch's Climate and Energy Program.

However, he added that it is likely that the EU will increase its use of ethanol in the coming years as it is more efficient.