Fossil fuels are carbon sources that account for a significant 80% of energy supply. Electricity-based fuel (e-fuel) and 

biofuel are attracting attention as technologies that produce alternative fuels to these fossil fuels. Among low-carbon ecofriendly

materials, dimethyl ether (DME) is of high interest as it can be used as both e-fuel and biofuel. In this study, 

three raw materials, i.e. syngas, biogas, mix of captured CO2 and green H2, are used to compare DME fuel production 

process. Furthermore, by comparing two synthesis routes, techno-economic analysis and environmental impact evaluation 

are conducted for the six processes. As a result, the most eco-friendly process was the CO2 and H2-based indirect synthesis 

process with 0.24 ton-CO2/ton-DME, and the most cost-competitive process was the syngas-based direct synthesis process 

with 434 $/ton-DME. Meanwhile, considering the minimum DME selling price (MDSP), only CO2 and H2-based DME processes

(i.e., 1,938 $/ton-DME and 2,633 $/ton-DME for the indirect and direct route, respectively) are more expensive than 

fossil fuel. However, with advances in hydrogen technology and the implementation of carbon taxes, the MDSP decreases 

by about 48.7% and 50.4%, respectively, suggesting its potential as a cost-competitive alternative fuel.