What is agricultural ethyl alcohol ? What is it used for ? Agricultural ethyl alcohol or ethanol (CH3-CH2-OH) derives from the fermentation and distillation of agricultural raw materials. It can be undenatured or denatured in which latter case, certain chemical substances have been added into the ethyl alcohol to render it unsuitable for human consumption (i.e. in alcoholic drinks). In the European Union, ethyl alcohol is mainly produced from sugarbeet, cereals, potatoes and fruits. Ethyl alcohol can also be produced from the distillation of wine as a mechanism to control the wine market. This type of ethyl alcohol used to be exported to the Caribbean countries and is now mainly used in the EU biofuel sector. With an alcoholic content ranging from 80% vol to 99.9% vol, ethyl alcohol has no specific organoleptic characteristics. It has no taste, no colour and that is why it is also commonly referred to as neutral alcohol or neutral spirit in certain countries. Depending on its quality, ethyl alcohol is used in a variety of applications. The purest alcohol is mainly used for human consumption (drinks and vinegar) and in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. In its denatured form, ethyl alcohol may be used for the production of a wide range of products such as adhesives, detergents, inks, paints, screen washers and surface coatings.   Agricultural ethyl alcohol is also used in the biofuel sector, in which case it is called bioethanol or fuel ethanol. Originally, fuel ethanol (directly blended with gasoline or in the form of ETBE1) was first produced in the EU in France, then in Sweden and Spain. This niche sector is expected to grow enormously as, in 2003, the European Union adopted two pieces of legislation with a view to develop a European biofuel programme. This initiative should therefore boost both the bioethanol and biodiesel production.             The production of agricultural ethyl alcohol is key for the rural economy as it brings an important added value to huge quantities of EU agricultural raw materials. Ethyl alcohol is considered an agricultural product under the Treaty of Rome because it is the result of the mere transformation of these products. Ethyl alcohol is also a by-product of sugar and starch production and contributes to the economy of these industries. The EU ethyl alcohol industry is therefore economically and environmentally an essential sector of activity which creates jobs both in the rural and in the industrial sectors.   Conversion table    1 Tonne Alcohol Molasses 3 hl Wheat 3.6 hl Sugarbeet 1 hl Maize/corn  4 hl                                                                      Statistics   2003 agricultural alcohol split by raw materials   Imports    1 ETBE is the result of a chemical reaction between bioethanol and isobutylene which produces a high-octane gasoline component. This oxygenate is then blended into gasoline.