Bio-Ethanol is the collective term used for a wide range of natural fuels that are in some way derived from bio-mass (plant matter). These fuel alternatives are gaining increased public and scientific attention – especially due to the concerns over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, its effect on the environment and the need for energy security. 

Ethanol (ethyl-alcohol) fuel is the most common biofuel used worldwide. Bio-Ethanol is a renewable, green energy source – energy generated by sunlight – a resource that cannot be depleted. Organic alcohol fuels are produced by fermentation of plants (like sugars derived from wheat, corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, molasses, potatoes, fruit waste, etc.) 

From an ecological point of view, bio-ethanol is safe for the natural environment. Carbon dioxide is a neutral greenhouse gas emitted during the fermentation process, as well as during the combustion (burning) of ethanol. However, this is cancelled out by the greater uptake of carbon dioxide by the plants as they grow to produce the biomass from which ethanol is derived. (The CO2 emitted by burning is thus the same quantity of CO2 absorbed by the plants while growing.)

No harmful substances are thus released – making bio-ethanol the environmentally friendly alternative.
Beauty Fires continues to be the South African market leader in the Bio-Ethanol fireplace industry and will continue to develop & promote this more sustainable way of heating.

Read about biofuel as a fuel for our Beauty Fires fireplaces on the next page.