Zernoff is the first company in Moldova to start producing bioethanol and exporting it to the EU
Zernoff has got the ISCC EU certification and become the first company in Moldova with the right to export bioethanol to Europe. It was an important step in frame of the new strategy to transform Zernoff into an energy company producing renewable energy resources. As part of this strategy, during the first half of 2022, Zernoff modernized one of its production sites, where production of the most popular biofuel - was launched. This is a finished clean fuel for internal combustion engines, which is easy to mix with gasoline and significantly reduces greenhouse emissions.
In 2018, the European Union adopted the RED II program stipulating that 14% of all fuel used in transport to be of biological origin by 2030. Most EU countries have already made quite a progress in the program’s implementation. Gas stations in EU countries already sell mixtures of bioethanol and gasoline, which are gradually replacing the traditional A95/98 gasoline.
Having got the ISCC EU certification, Zernoff enters the European biofuel market as a full-fledged member of the certified sustainable supply chain. The ISCC certification program has been developed by the EU for global application, covers evaluation of sustainable production criteria, management and calculations of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The Energy Strategy of the Republic of Moldova also stipulated 10% of all fuel to be of biological origin by 2020, but this goal was not achieved.
"We believe that the Republic of Moldova should join as soon as possible the European Union's program to stimulate the biofuel production and consumption, mentioned Eduard Diaciuc, Director of Zernoff. This will reduce our country’s dependence on the import of oil products, significantly reduce harmful emissions, increase the internal market of grains and industrial crops, as well as increase the added value created in the country."
Ethyl alcohol produced by Zernoff is mainly exported from Moldova for such industries as: pharmaceuticals, chemical industry, pharmacology, medicine, construction, fertilizer production, food industry. From the grain filtrate byproduct, the company produces a valuable high-protein product - DDGS, used in the production of compound feeds exported to Israel, Turkey, Romania, etc. It also collects carbon dioxide released during alcohol production, and sells it to the food industry enterprises in Moldova and Romania.
Zernoff’s exports amount to 39 million euros per year, the company consuming 150,000 tons of grain per year. The company employs about 350 employees, contributing to the public budget more than 130 million lei as taxes.
For reference: Bioethanol is a dehydrated (highly concentrated) alcohol used as a fuel additive. Bioethanol is able to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emitted by vehicles, which is important for reducing the climate load. Compared to gasoline, bioethanol has a higher octane number (99), a lower combustion temperature, and a cleaner exhaust, since it does not contain sulfur. Besides, alcohol burns without forming ash. Therefore, when using alcohol-containing gasoline, less deposits are formed on candles, and the engine is heated less. One of the example of wide bioethanol use as motor fuel is Brazil, where almost the entire car fleet uses fuel with bioethanol additives (up to 20%) or pure bioethanol (99.8% and 0.2% water).
