Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-HERNANDEZ, Rafael et al. Economic feasibility of bioethanol production with three species of Agave spp. in producing areas from Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.6, pp.1439-1453. ISSN 2007-0934.

The increasing use of fossil fuels has caused global warming by CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, which has determined the need to develop technologies to produce non conventional fuels. Some countries have shown technological advances in the production and use of biofuels; however, they have been using crops for human consumption, so it is necessary to explore new species that allow to generate fuels with low environmental and economic costs. The genus Agave is an alternative to produce bioethanol for its high sugar content in pineapple and leaves. The objective of this research was to determine the economic feasibility to produce bioethanol from Agave tequilana Weber., Agave angustifolia Haw. and Agave cupreata Trel. Economic indicators were generated from a holistic view of the value chain as the private cost ratio (RCP), internal rate of return (TIR), current net value (VAN) and breakeven point (PE). The results indicated that bioethanol production is economically feasible for the primary and industrial sectors in Matatlán, Oaxaca and Amatitán, Jalisco, while in Tepatitlán, Jalisco was profitable for the primary sector but not for the industrial sector, in Chilapa, Guerrero was not profitable for the primary sector but for the industrial sector it was. Profitability is influenced by the price of raw material and bioethanol making necessary a process of price negotiation between sectors.

Keywords : Agave tequilana Weber; Agave angustifolia Haw. and Agave cupreata Trel.; bioethanol profitability.

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