Assessment of Agricultural Biomass Potential in Sustainable Biofuel Production

Mykola Talavyria; Irina Furman; Dmytro Alexandrov; Anatolii Drabovskyi

doi:10.61954/2616-7107/2025.9.2-8

Mykola Talavyria National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and Nature Management of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6915-4815
Irina Furman Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9923-555X
Dmytro Alexandrov National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and Nature Management of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine http://orcid.org/0009-0001-3820-1559
Anatolii Drabovskyi Vinnytsia Cooperative Institute, Vinnytsia, Ukraine http://orcid.org/0009-0000-6458-3178

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61954/2616-7107/2025.9.2-8

Abstract

Introduction. The depletion of fossil energy sources, climate change, and the need to strengthen energy security underscore the strategic importance of bioenergy. Ukraine’s agricultural potential creates the prerequisites for transforming its agro-industrial complex to produce renewable biofuels, which is critically important for achieving energy independence, sustainable rural development, and fulfilling commitments under the European Green Deal. The need to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels makes agricultural biomass (agribiomass) a key resource for sustainable energy production.

Aim and tasks. This study aims to comprehensively assess the raw material potential of agribiomass in Ukraine's agro-industrial complex for biofuel production, analyse projected indicators for the development of global and European biofuel markets, and determine the prospects for the integration of Ukrainian producers into the EU market.

Results. The analysis showed that Ukraine has significant agribiomass potential, particularly from agricultural waste, such as cereals, oilseeds, sugar beets, and livestock manure. An analysis of the global and European biofuel markets revealed steady growth in demand for liquid biofuels (up to 130 Mtoe globally and 21 Mtoe in the EU by 2024), biogas and biomethane (up to 52 Mtoe globally and 28 Mtoe in the EU), and solid biomass (up to 535 Mtoe globally and 58 Mtoe in the EU). An assessment of the agricultural waste potential in Ukraine for 2024 revealed a significant potential for biofuels, amounting to 134.4 thousand tons, 1.8 thousand tons of biodiesel, and 4.1 million m³ of biogas. According to the forecast, in 2026-2030, electricity production at bioenergy plants in Ukraine will grow by 29.25%, mainly due to an increase in biomass production by 31.37%. The EU specialises in advanced biofuels and biomethane, which creates favourable export opportunities for Ukrainian producers.

Conclusions. The effective utilisation of Ukraine’s agribiomass potential, combined with technological innovations and supportive government policies, will not only meet its energy needs and strengthen energy independence. It will also significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the European economy and the strengthening of energy security. For successful integration into the EU market, Ukrainian producers should overcome barriers such as price instability, supply reliability, and biofuel quality, which requires the creation of a transparent and competitive market and harmonisation of standards.

Keywords:

biofuel, biogas, agribiomass, agricultural waste, energy security, sustainable development.