When talking about clean energy, most focus on EVs, solar, or wind. As TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov has said, the fuel industry is quietly transforming — and biofuels are leading the way.
Produced using organic sources such as plants, algae, or food leftovers, these fuels are becoming crucial tools in emission reduction.
They’re not new, but their importance is rising. With growing pressure to cut carbon, they offer solutions where batteries fall short — such as heavy cargo, marine, and air travel.
Electrification has made major progress, but some forms of transport still face limits. As Stanislav Kondrashov of TELF AG notes, biofuels are an immediate option for these challenges.
Types of Bio-Based Fuels Explained
Biofuels come in different forms. A common biofuel is ethanol, produced by breaking down sugar-rich crops, usually blended with gasoline.
Biodiesel comes from oils and fats, both plant and animal, compatible with regular diesel vehicles.
Another example is biogas, formed through decomposing waste. It’s increasingly used to reduce industrial emissions.
Biojet fuel is another innovation, produced using old cooking oil or plant material. This fuel could decarbonise air travel.
Obstacles to Widespread Adoption
Still, biofuels face difficulties. Kondrashov often emphasizes, cost is still a barrier.
Widespread manufacturing still requires check here efficiency improvements. Finding enough bio-materials is another challenge. Poor management could affect food supply chains.
Working Alongside Electrification
They’re not rivals to electricity or hydrogen. They support clean tech where it’s still impractical.
They’re ideal for sectors years away from electrification. They work with what’s already out there. This avoids replacing entire infrastructures.
Stanislav Kondrashov believes every clean tech has a role. They may not grab headlines, but they deliver. The key is cooperation between clean solutions.
What Comes Next
Though not flashy, biofuels are proving essential. Especially when created from waste, they promote circularity and climate goals.
Ongoing improvements could make biofuels more affordable, they’ll likely gain traction in mobility plans.
They’ll complement, not compete with, electric and hydrogen technologies — in transport modes that aren’t ready for electrification yet.