Corn-based Ethanol in the USA: A Sustainability Dilemma in the Bioeconomy Era

The transition towards a bioeconomy, driven by renewable biological resources, is a crucial strategy for addressing sustainability challenges such as fossil fuel depletion and climate change. This review examines the potential of biofuels, particularly corn-based ethanol in the USA, as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Despite its promise in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing energy security, corn-based ethanol presents significant challenges, including land use change, competition with food production, and poor energy balance. In comparison, sugarcane-based ethanol in Brazil offers a more sustainable model, with a favorable energy balance and the use of byproducts such as bagasse for energy generation. The review further explores the intersection of the bioeconomy, circular economy, and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of a system-level approach that incorporates energy efficiency, environmental impacts, and resource utilization. The findings suggest that the adoption of advanced biofuel technologies, waste-to-energy practices, and non-feedstock feedstocks could improve the sustainability of biofuel production in the USA, aligning with broader circular economy and sustainability goals. This paper highlights the need for global collaboration to address the limitations of biofuel production and ensure the transition to a truly sustainable bioeconomy.Note: This article is a narrative review based on current literature and does not present new experimental data