In the recent years, extensive research on biofuels production from second — and third-generation feedstocks has demonstrated remarkable achievements in terms of efficient enzyme system, microorganisms, innovative conversion technologies, and newer strategies of process integration. Table 5 shows the state of the development of biofuels from second — and third-generation feedstocks. As evident from Table 5, each of the individual processes is at a different stage of development and unless all these processes reach the commercial stage, it is not possible to anticipate a full-scale commercial plant for liquid biofuels production that can be established in all parts of the world. However, recent advances in biofuels research and subsi­dies from government can make it possible in the coming years.

It should be noted that to make biofuels enter into the market and compete with gasoline, it is important that cost is significantly reduced and liquid biofuels should be able to sustain without any government subsidies. Moreover, both private and public sectors should participate actively to realize the liquid biofuels industry to supply the demand of fuels for the future world and upcoming generations. The IEA projects that sugarcane ethanol and advanced biofuels could provide up to 9.3 % of total transportation fuels by 2030 and up to 27 % by 2050. But to achieve these pro­jections, at least a threefold to fivefold increase in land use for energy crops cultiva­tion and significant yield improvement in developing countries is needed.