South Korea Bioethanol Market Overview, 2029

South Korea produces bioethanol from a variety of feed stocks, including corn, wheat, and sugarcane. The Republic of Korea has invested in expanding its production capacity for bioethanol, from conventional fermentation to the advanced technology of cellulosic ethanol production. The Republic of Korea enforces blending bioethanol into gasoline. Despite this domestic production, ethanol is also imported into the country in order to meet the needs of blending with gasoline, which ensures steady blending and consumption in the country. The Republic of Korea's bioethanol market is characterized by government support, domestic production capacities, international trade, environmental benefits, and incessant advancement of technology and innovation. With the right policies and investments, the country is well placed to further develop its bioethanol industry and continue contributing to a more sustainable energy future. South Korea is an active part of the global bioethanol market, both in the importing and exporting side. The bioethanol market of South Korea is characterized by government support, domestic production capabilities, international trade, environmental benefits, and ongoing efforts to advance technology and innovation. With the right policies and investments, the country is well placed to further develop its bioethanol industry and continue contributing to a more sustainable energy future. The country exports ethanol to neighboring countries and regions, which helps in meeting the targets of regional energy security and economic cooperation. The country also encourages and coordinates international collaborations and partnerships for the exchange of knowledge and technology related to the production and utilization of biofuels. The use of bioethanol in South Korea contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with conventional gasoline. Furthermore, biofuel production promotes rural development, employment creation in the agricultural and bioenergy sectors, and energy security through an increase in energy source diversity in the country. Most of the existing ethanol production capacity in South Korea uses conventional fermentation to convert sugars from feedstocks into ethanol. These have been optimized for efficiency and yield.


According to the research report "South Korea Bioethanol Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the South Korea Bioethanol market is expected to grow at more than 1.9 billion from 2024 to 2029. The bioethanol market in South Korea has experienced significant growth and development in recent years, driven by various factors including government policies, environmental concerns, and energy security initiatives. South Korea has invested in expanding its bioethanol production capacity to meet the growing demand for renewable fuels. Ethanol production facilities in the country utilize various technologies, including conventional fermentation processes as well as advanced biofuel production methods such as cellulosic ethanol production. South Korea invests in research and development (R&D) to advance bioethanol production technologies and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of biofuel production processes. This includes research on new feed stocks, innovative conversion methods, and improving the overall lifecycle environmental performance of bioethanol. The bioethanol market in South Korea is expected to continue growing, driven by ongoing government support, environmental regulations, and increasing consumer awareness of renewable energy sources. Investments in infrastructure, R&D, and international partnerships will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the bioethanol industry in South Korea. The bioethanol market in South Korea is poised for continued growth, driven by government support, environmental regulations, and increasing consumer awareness of renewable energy sources. Investments in infrastructure, research and development, and international partnerships will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the bioethanol industry in South Korea. Some facilities employ advanced technologies for ethanol production, such as cellulosic ethanol production. These technologies enable the utilization of non-food biomass, agricultural residues, and other waste materials for ethanol production, enhancing sustainability and reducing competition with food production.

In South Korea, The Ethanol Market segmentation, based on feedstock, Corn, Wheat, Sugarcan, Other Biomass, Cellulosic, Mixed feedstock. Corn is one of the primary feedstocks for ethanol production in South Korea. The country imports a significant amount of corn for both food and fuel purposes. Corn-based ethanol production facilities utilize the starch content of corn kernels to produce ethanol through fermentation and distillation processes. Wheat is another important feedstock for ethanol production in South Korea. While wheat is primarily used for food consumption, surplus or lower-grade wheat may be used for ethanol production. Similar to corn-based ethanol, wheat-based ethanol production involves converting the starch in wheat grains into fermentable sugars for ethanol fermentation. Although not as prevalent as in countries like Brazil, sugarcane-based ethanol production exists in South Korea. Sugarcane contains sucrose, which can be fermented into ethanol. Sugarcane-based ethanol production facilities may utilize sugarcane juice or molasses, a byproduct of sugar production, as feedstock. South Korea is increasingly exploring the use of non-food biomass sources for ethanol production, including agricultural residues, woody biomass, and energy crops. These biomass sources offer the advantage of not competing with food production and can contribute to the sustainability of ethanol production. Cellulosic biomass, such as agricultural residues (e.g., corn stover, rice straw) and dedicated energy crops (e.g., switchgrass, miscanthus), holds promise for ethanol production in South Korea. Cellulosic ethanol production involves breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars, followed by ethanol fermentation and distillation. Some ethanol production facilities in South Korea may utilize a combination of feedstocks to produce ethanol. This approach can help optimize production costs, enhance feedstock availability, and improve the overall sustainability of ethanol production.


In South Korea, The Ethanol Market segmentation, based on an End-use industry, Transportation, Industrial, Energy, Household, Miscellaneous, Research and development. The transportation sector is a significant consumer of ethanol in South Korea. Ethanol is blended with gasoline to produce ethanol-blended fuels such as E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline) and E85 (up to 85% ethanol, rest gasoline). These blends are used in vehicles equipped with flexible-fuel engines or as additives in conventional gasoline vehicles to reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Ethanol serves as a key ingredient in the chemical industry for the production of various chemicals, solvents, and intermediates. It is used as a solvent in paint, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care products. Some industries utilize ethanol as a solvent or cleaning agent in manufacturing processes. It is also used in the production of disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and surface cleaners. Ethanol can be used for power generation in the form of bioenergy. It is burned to produce heat and electricity or used in combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Ethanol-based bioenergy contributes to renewable energy generation and reduces reliance on fossil fuels in the energy sector. In rural areas or off-grid locations, ethanol-based cooking fuels are used as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional fuels like kerosene or firewood. Ethanol-fueled cookstoves and heaters provide a convenient and environmentally friendly solution for household energy needs. Ethanol may be used as a processing aid or ingredient in the food industry for purposes such as flavor extraction, food preservation, or as a carrier for food additives. In the pharmaceutical sector, ethanol is used as a solvent in drug formulations and as a disinfectant for equipment and surfaces in manufacturing facilities. Ethanol is commonly used as a solvent in laboratory settings for various research and analytical applications. It is also used as a reagent or extraction solvent in chemical synthesis and biotechnology research.

In South Korea, The Ethanol Market segmentation, based on a Blent, E10 (10% Ethanol Blend), E85 (Up to 85% Ethanol Blend), Intermediate Blends (E20, E30, etc.), Other Blends, and Future Blends. E10 consists of 10% ethanol blended with 90% conventional gasoline. E10 is widely available and commonly used as a transportation fuel in vehicles with standard combustion engines. E10 holds a significant market share due to its wi zdespread adoption and government mandates requiring ethanol blending in gasoline. E85 contains up to 85% ethanol, with the remainder being conventional gasoline. E85 is primarily utilized in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on higher ethanol blends. E85 has a smaller market share compared to E10 but caters to consumers seeking higher ethanol content fuels and FFV owners. Intermediate blends contain ethanol concentrations higher than E10 but lower than E85. Intermediate blends offer a balance between ethanol content and vehicle compatibility, providing options for consumers and reducing emissions. Intermediate blends may have a smaller market share compared to E10 but serve as alternatives for consumers and industries seeking higher ethanol content fuels. This category includes customized ethanol blends developed for specific applications or industries. Other blends may be tailored for industrial use, power generation, or specialty vehicles with unique fuel requirements. Other blends cater to niche market segments and may have limited availability compared to standard ethanol-gasoline blends like E10 and E85. Future blends represent ethanol-gasoline formulations that may be developed based on technological advancements and market demands. Future blends aim to optimize fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and meet evolving regulatory standards. Future blends offer opportunities for innovation and market expansion, driven by advancements in ethanol production technology and consumer preferences for cleaner, renewable fuels.




In South Korea, the ethanol market is segmented based on various ethanol-gasoline blends tailored to different applications and consumer preferences. The most common blend is E10, containing 10% ethanol blended with 90% conventional gasoline. Widely available and mandated by the government, E10 is extensively used as a transportation fuel in vehicles with standard combustion engines. Another notable blend is E85, which contains up to 85% ethanol and is primarily utilized in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). While E85 has a smaller market share compared to E10, it caters to consumers seeking higher ethanol content fuels. Intermediate blends such as E20 and E30 offer a balance between ethanol content and vehicle compatibility, providing alternatives for consumers and industries. Additionally, customized blends, tailored for specific applications or industries, serve niche market segments and may include ethanol formulations for industrial use or specialty vehicles. Looking ahead, future blends represent ethanol-gasoline formulations developed based on technological advancements and market demands, offering opportunities for innovation and market expansion driven by advancements in ethanol production technology and consumer preferences for cleaner, renewable fuels.

Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Bioethanol Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Feedstock
• Starch Based
• Sugar Based
• Cellulose Based
• Others

By End-Use Industry
• Automotive and Transportation
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Other

By Blent
• E5
• E10
• E15 TO E70
• E75 TO E85
• Others

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.


Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the bioethanol industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.