Introduction

This paper identified and analyzed the current state of the main actors involved in liquid biofuel supply chains in southeastern Mexico with the goal to identify the possibility estab-lishment of biofuels supply chains in this country. The description of the production process of biodiésel, bioethanol and castor oil is included. Case A refers to a company that produces biodiésel from recycled vegetable oils, Case B refers to a company that uses molasses to produce anhydrous ethanol through a molecular sieve, Case C describes supply chain management, from the organization of farmers to the production process of castor oil and its marketing to industry.

Method

For field research, a team of subject matter specialists collected on-site data through on-site interviews and telephone interviews with suppliers, collectors, recycled vegetable oil processors and seed improvers involved in the supply chain. For schems designs, the Model Reference for Supply Chain Operations (SCOR) was used.

Results

Key elements involved in the biodiésel and bioethanol supply chains were identified in the case studies. Fifty seven interviews were conducted, identifying the main elements involved in the supply chain. Eight interviews were conducted with bioethanol and biodiésel producers; twenty one with suppliers of recycled vegetable oils; eleven with suppliers of agricultural inputs and seeds; and seventeen with oil collectors. The present work establishes that the biodiésel supply chain is not consolidated, the main reason being the lack of regulation of raw material prices. On the other hand, the bioethanol supply chain is more consolidated due to the level of international commercialization.

Discussion or Conclusion

According to fieldwork information, we found evidence of the absence of price regulation in raw materials and subproducts obtained in the biodiésel production process. The pricing of raw materials, products and subproducts dictates the feasibility of the supply chain. The case studies analysed in this paper have a high chance of entering the biofuels market on another scale. However, the potential for biofuel production in Mexico is still emerging and far from being matched by the demand to be covered.

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