# Bioethanol: Relationships

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/links/

Every element and industry that Bioethanol is linked to, and how. Each pair has its own card explaining the relationships between the two.

- [Combustion road vehicles](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-combustion-road-vehicles/): Almost all fuel ethanol is burned in petrol vehicles, so blending mandates such as India's E20 decide its market, while its lower energy content trims fuel economy by a few per cent. *(researched)*
- [MTBE](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-mtbe/): Ethanol and MTBE compete for the same job in petrol: adding octane and oxygen. The US switched from MTBE to ethanol in 2006 after groundwater contamination, and India's 20% ethanol blending, reached in 2025, leaves less room for octane ethers. *(researched)*
- [Maize](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-maize/): Maize is the main feedstock for US ethanol, with about a third of the 2025/26 US crop expected to go to distilleries, and India turned into a maize importer in 2024 as its distilleries switched to maize. Just under a third of each tonne returns to the feed market as distillers grains, so ethanol and livestock compete for, and share, the same grain. *(researched)*
- [Sugar](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-sugar/): Sugar and ethanol are made from the same cane, so mills in Brazil and India choose how much sucrose to turn into each. In India the choice is regulated: diverting about 3.5 Mt of sugar a year into ethanol supports E20 but is cut back when sugar supply looks tight. *(researched)*
- [Rice](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-rice/): In India, rice from the government's surplus stocks has become a major ethanol feedstock, sold to distilleries at a fixed price. Its use rises and falls with official judgements about food stocks, so the link is a policy valve rather than a market price relationship. *(researched)*
- [Biomass](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-biomass/): Energy flows from biomass to bioethanol; their prices have moved together.
- [Bio-based polyethylene and MEG](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bio-based-polyethylene-and-meg-and-bioethanol/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Biodiesel (FAME)](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/biodiesel-fame-and-bioethanol/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Biomass and biofuel stores](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-biomass-and-biofuel-stores/): Energy flows from bioethanol to biomass and biofuel stores.
- [Carbon dioxide](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-carbon-dioxide/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-crude-oil/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Isopropanol](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-isopropanol/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Refining and reforming](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-refining-and-reforming/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Sorghum](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-sorghum/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Starch and cellulose derivatives](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-starch-and-cellulose-derivatives/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Tankers, barges and fuel trucks](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/bioethanol-and-tankers-barges-and-fuel-trucks/): Energy flows from bioethanol to tankers, barges and fuel trucks.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/index.md)
- [Energy overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/energy/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/correlation/index.md)
- [Efficiency](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/efficiency/index.md)
- [Techniques](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/techniques/index.md)
- [Resources and labour](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/resources/index.md)
- [Impact on the biosphere](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/biosphere/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/overview/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/bioethanol/emissions/index.md)