Message from the Chairman of the International Organizing Committee of ISAF

Mr. Lucas Ribeiro

Promon Engenharia Ltda., Brazil

Lucas Ribeiro Chairman of ISAF XVII

ISAF XVII marks the 32 nd anniversary of the longest living series of international conferences on alcohol fuels in the world. It is very fitting to celebrate this anniversary in Taiyuan , China .

The window of opportunity expanding the diversity of energy options, through innovation, competition and entrepreneurship driven by political, economic and environmental forces, could not suit better this historical moment of ISAF, China and the world itself. The de-polarization of the world with more stakeholders playing important roles enhances the prominence alcohol fuels are achieving on the stage of energy security. As the world seeks a new order, alcohol fuels and ISAF are part of it!

The rapid growth of the Chinese economy has increased the demand for a number of energy services, including transportation. Alcohol fuels will increasingly meet some of this expanded demand in China and elsewhere around the world.

In the ISAF context alcohol fuels comprise methanol, ethanol, ethers (MTBE, ETBE, TAME, TAEE and DME and DEE) and esters (biodiesels: methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and animal fat). Feed stocks for these fuels vary from coal to crops to cellulosic residues to animal tissues. And they can be processed biologically, chemically or thermally.

ISAF XVII focus on sustainable alcohol fuels will provide a unique opportunity to gather in Taiyuan a diversity of stakeholders who will review the progress achieved so far and chart the prospects for these fascinating fuels into the future. They will discuss the technologies (from production to end-use), the economics, the social issues and the environmental impacts of continuing to develop the alcohol fuels economy throughout the world.

The debate about the competition for feed stocks between the food and the fuel industries will be examined during ISAF XVII. The role of trade in promoting the sustainability of alcohol fuels will be discussed.

The dedication and the competence of the Taiyuan University of Technology organizers will make ISAF XVII a very rewarding experience. I look forward to greeting the ISAF XVII participants in Taiyuan in October 2008.