The world of the chemical and renewable energy industries is undergoing a transformation. At the centre of these changes is greenhouse gas emissions - a topic that has ceased to be the domain of climate conferences and has become an everyday reality for producers of bioethanol, ethanol and biofuels. As one of the five largest ethanol producers in Poland, we at IMA Poland of Wielkopolska are aware that counting GHG emissions is not just a legal obligation - it is the foundation of competitiveness in the era of decarbonisation.
What are GHG emissions?
GHG stands for Greenhouse Gases - i.e. greenhouse gases. The main regulated gases include:
- CO₂ (carbon dioxide) - the primary greenhouse gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial processes
- N₂O (nitrous oxide) - emitted mainly in agriculture, particularly during the application of nitrogen fertilisers
- CH₄ (methane) - released during fermentation processes and agricultural activities
GHG emissions are measured in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂eq), which allows for a comparable representation of the impact of all GHGs in a single, universal unit.
Why has the counting of GHG emissions become crucial?
European regulations enforce transparency
The European Union has set ambitious climate targets. The RED II Directive (Renewable Energy Directive II) and the upcoming RED III introduce detailed requirements for the calculation of lifecycle emissions for biofuels and biocomponents. From 2025, bioethanol producers must demonstrate that their products achieve certain thresholds for emission reductions compared to fossil fuels.
For the ethanol industry, this means specific requirements:
- Bioethanol must show an emission reduction of at least 65% compared to petrol (for new installations)
- From 2030, the reduction threshold increases to 70%
- Every stage of production - from cultivation of the raw material to transport - must be precisely documented
NUTS system - calculation at regional level in Poland
Poland, like other EU countries, has developed a national report on agricultural emissions at NUTS2 (provincial) and NUTS3 (district) level. For us, as a producer in the Wielkopolska region, this means that we can use regional emission data for maize and other cereal commodities grown around the Zielonka Forest.
| Raw material | Average emissions (kg CO₂eq/t s.m.) | Region with the lowest emissions | Region with the highest emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maize | 275 | Świętokrzyskie: 188 | Greater Poland: 291 |
| Rapeseed | 583 | Świętokrzyskie: 499 | Greater Poland: 625 |
| Wheat | ~350 | - | - |
These values vary considerably from region to region - they are influenced by soil type, fertilisers used, cultivation intensity and climatic conditions.
How do you calculate GHG emissions over the life cycle of bioethanol?
The emissions calculation methodology is based on the formula set out in the RED II Directive:
eec = eseed + echem + elim + efield + emm
Where the individual components stand for:
- eseed - seed-related emissions
- echo - emissions from the production and transport of fertilisers and plant protection products
- elim - emissions from soil acidification and liming
- efield - Field emissions (mainly N₂O nitrous oxide) resulting from the crop cycle
- emm - emissions from the use of agricultural machinery and drying
Agricultural crops - the largest source of emissions in bioethanol production
In the case of bioethanol production from maize or cereals, the agricultural stage is a key part of the carbon footprint. Field emissions (efield) can account for up to 50% of total emissions from cultivation - mainly due to the release of nitrous oxide from the soil after the application of nitrogen fertilisers.
Calculation example: Cultivation of oilseed rape in the administrative district of Plock (Mazowieckie Voivodeship)
| Emission component | Value (g CO₂eq/ha) | % of total emissions |
|---|---|---|
| Field emissions (N₂O) | 1 216 933 | 51,4% |
| Fertiliser production | 672 540 | 28,4% |
| Machinery and fuel | 324 994 | 13,7% |
| Plant protection products | 11 771 | 5,0% |
| Acidification and liming | 139 926 | 5,9% |
| Seed | 1 967 | 0,1% |
| TOTAL EMISSIONS | 2 368 131 | 100% |
Carbon footprint of a product - from the field to the distributor
The calculation of the carbon footprint of bioethanol does not end at the cultivation stage. The full calculation includes:
- Emissions from raw material cultivation (eec) - discussed above
- Emissions from raw material transport (etd) - delivery of maize or grain to distilleries
- Emissions from industrial processes (ep) - fermentation, distillation, rectification
- Emissions from energy production to process (el, eee) - heat and electricity
- Emissions from the transport of the finished product (etd) - distribution of ethyl alcohol
- Allocation for by-products - fodder thresh, CO₂.
At IMA Polska in Murowana Goślina, we use a closed water cycle, a biogas plant and modern heat recovery technologies, which significantly reduces emissions from the industrial stage.
Why count GHG emissions? Four key reasons
1. Legal requirements and certification of the sustainability scheme
Without a precise emissions monitoring system, bioethanol cannot be sold as a RED II compliant bio-component. Certificates such as ISCC EU or REDcert require full documentation of the carbon footprint.
2. competitiveness in the biofuels and alcohol market
Producers offering bioethanol with a lower carbon footprint gain a market advantage. Customers - refiners, biofuel blenders - pay better prices for feedstocks with a documented low carbon footprint. Our main product - bioethanol, already achieves a GHG emission reduction parameter of >70%.
3 Support for farmers in Wielkopolska and other regions
With accurate emissions data, we can work with farmers to implement agricultural practices that reduce emissions:
- Precise nitrogen fertilisation
- Use of organic instead of mineral fertilisers
- Simplified cultivation systems (no-till)
- Intercropping and nitrogen-absorbing cover crops
4 Climate neutrality IMA Poland by 2035
IMA Polska S.A. is committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2035. Systematic emissions counting allows us to:
- Monitor progress in reducing emissions
- Identify areas for improvement
- Plan investments in low-carbon technologies
- Communicate results transparently to business partners
Who must count GHG emissions? The future of regulation
The requirements for calculating GHG emissions are expanding to more industries. Examples include:
- Maritime transport - FuelEU Maritime regulation requires shipowners to reduce emissions intensity by 2% in 2025, with a target of 80% by 2050
- Land transport - extension of the EU ETS to road transport
- Industry - tightening of requirements for energy-intensive sectors
- Agriculture - NUTS3 systems for local emissions data
Companies such as IMA Polska, which already have efficient emissions monitoring systems in place, will be in a winning position.
Regional activities of IMA Poland in reducing emissions
Our location in Murowana Goślina, at the gateway to the Zielonka Forest, is not only a picturesque landscape - it is a commitment to environmental responsibility. We work with over 200 farms from Wielkopolska and neighbouring provinces, supporting them in their low-carbon transformation.
Our activities in the region:
- Support programme for farmers using precision fertilisation
- Collection of maize and cereals within a 100 km radius of the distillery (lower transport emissions)
- Distribution fodder threshers as organic fertiliser for local farms
- Biogas plant using production residues
Frequently asked questions about GHG emissions (FAQ)
How to count GHG emissions from bioethanol production?
Emissions are calculated by summing the emissions from five stages: raw material cultivation (eec), transport (etd), processing (ep), energy production (el) and distribution. This is based on the formula from the RED II directive: eec = eseed + echem + elim + efield + emm. Each component requires an accurate measurement or the use of standard values from the NUTS system.
What are the average GHG emissions from maize cultivation in Poland?
Average emissions from maize cultivation in Poland are around 275 kg CO₂eq per tonne of dry matter. The lowest emissions were recorded in the Świętokrzyskie Province (188 kg) and the highest in the Wielkopolskie Province (291 kg). The differences are due to soil type, fertilisation and local agricultural practices.
What is the NUTS system in the context of agricultural emissions?
NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) is the EU territorial division system used for reporting emissions. NUTS2 is the level of provinces, NUTS3 is groups of counties. Poland has developed a national emission report for rapeseed and maize at NUTS2 level, approved by the European Commission.
Why do field emissions account for 50% of a crop's carbon footprint?
Field emissions (mainly nitrous oxide N₂O) arise after the application of nitrogen fertilisers. N₂O is a greenhouse gas 298 times more potent than CO₂. Soils with low pH, high moisture content and intensive fertilisation generate the most N₂O, so this accounts for the largest proportion of crop emissions.
Does a small distillery also need to count GHG emissions?
Yes - any bioethanol producer selling the raw material as a biocomponent must document the carbon footprint in accordance with RED II. Small distilleries can use standard values or regional NUTS averages instead of conducting costly individual measurements.
How to reduce GHG emissions in ethanol production?
Key measures are: cooperation with farmers using precision fertilisation, shortening the supply chain (local raw material suppliers), heat recovery from distillation processes, use of RES (biogas plant, photovoltaics), management of by-products (feed mill, CO₂).
Is the carbon footprint of bioethanol lower than petrol?
Yes - bioethanol must show at least 65% emission reduction compared to petrol (RED II directive). Bioethanol from maize achieves a reduction of 50-70%, from agricultural waste even 85-90%. Petrol emits about 94 g CO₂eq/MJ, bioethanol from maize 28-47 g CO₂eq/MJ.
What influences emissions at NUTS3?
The main factors are: soil type and pH, fertilisers used (organic vs mineral), nitrogen fertilisation intensity, agronomic practices (ploughing vs no-till), yield (higher yield = lower emissions per unit), grain drying (fuel used for drying).
Summary: Why GHG emissions are the future of industry
GHG emissions are not an abstract concept - they are a measurable impact of our activities on the climate. Precise counting of emissions at each stage of bioethanol production
- Comply with the legal requirements of the European Union
- Compete in the market with low carbon products
- Support farmers in implementing sustainable practices
- Achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2035
At IMA Polska, we treat the calculation of GHG emissions as part of our business strategy. It is an investment in the future - a future in which the production of bioethanol and ethanol will be driven not only by grain and corn, but above all by environmental responsibility.
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