Environmental life-cycle analyses of soy biodiesel

This paper reviews the performance and prospects of soy biodiesel production on a global basis as emerging from some 30 life-cycle assessments relative to the main soybean production areas (USA, Brazil, Argentina and P.R. China). Opportunities have been identified to improve the biodiesel life-cycle energy efficiency and environmental impact. The consequences of large-scale renewable action plans in the European Union and biodiesel mandates elsewhere are critically considered in terms of sustainability