Statement from European renewable ethanol producers on EU-US trade deal
BRUSSELS, 29 July 2025 – According to several media reports, EU officials have confirmed that ethanol is not included in the scope of the 28 July EU-US trade agreement. Likewise ethanol is not mentioned in either the White House fact sheet or the European Commission fact sheet on the deal. This is a clear recognition of the strategic importance of EU renewable ethanol production.
As the details of the political agreement are worked out, the EU must remain committed to safeguarding its strategically important industries, including the European renewable ethanol sector.
The 50 ethanol biorefineries around Europe are an important strategic asset to EU energy independence, food security, industrial autonomy and transport decarbonisation. EU renewable ethanol production ensures a vital market for European farmers, who are already under intense pressure from trade agreements with countries where producers benefit from laxer environmental standards and cheaper labour costs.
Similarly, EU renewable ethanol producers already face higher energy costs – as much as ten times what US producers pay – and stricter sustainability criteria than their US counterparts, who also benefit from state support and tax credits.
Renewable ethanol from ePURE members and other EU producers reduced GHG emissions by an average of 79% compared to fossil fuels in 2024, according to newly certified data, with some companies reaching even 95% to 100% GHG emissions savings.
By contrast the US just barely meets the minimum emissions reduction requirements under the EU Renewable Energy Directive. It makes no sense for the EU to want to import a product that has a lower emission-savings performance and higher carbon footprint, especially when considering additional emissions from transporting it to the EU.
European ethanol producers remain committed to helping the EU achieve its important goals for energy independence, food security, climate change mitigation and industrial and agricultural autonomy. We will be vigilant in working with EU officials to ensure that the European ethanol industry remains viable.
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