Biofuel demand in road transport to fall as electrification gathers pace

The decarbonisation of EU road transportation will increasingly impact the demand for fossil and biofuel in the decades to come, according to a new study by Rabobank. The long-term outlook for biofuels, beyond 2045, does not look promising, as the expected decline in demand is likely to encourage biofuel companies to look for alternative uses

Ethanol production in the US reaches near record levels

The US Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.107 million barrels a day, the second-highest average on record, and an increase of 1,000 barrels on the week and 56,000 on the year. The high of 1.108 million barrels a day was set in early December 2017. Margins have improved recently and plant capacity is reportedly

How whisky waste can replace fossil fuels on road to net-zero

As Glasgow welcomes leaders from around the world to the United Nations climate summit, COP26, the founder of a Scottish biotech company is calling for action, not targets. Professor Martin Tangney’s company, Celtic Renewables, turns left-over waste from whisky-making into the kind of everyday chemicals that are normally made in oil refineries, without drilling for

Brazil tops importers of US LNG cargoes in October

Brazil was No. 1 buyer of US LNG for the third month in a row in October amid severe drought that has drained its hydroelectric resources, while Spain was a close second as pipeline gas supplies faced constraints, S&P Global Platts Analytics data showed. Power data from Brazil’s National Electric System operator showed that hydro

Global Methane Pledge to put more pressure on LNG fuel proponents

Proponents of LNG as shipping’s interim future fuel will face another barrage today with the White House the latest institution to go on the attack. President Joe Biden is to unveil plans today at COP26, the major international climate summit taking place in Glasgow, to limit global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by

Europe, Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunker fuel oils are tight for prompt dates with several suppliers in Rotterdam, while ships face bunkering delays from weather suspensions in Malta and Algoa Bay. Longer lead times should be considered for HSFO380 stems in Rotterdam after supply tightened last week. Prompt product is more difficult to source, especially for larger quantities. Backwardation in

Sugar Prices Soar as Energy Crisis Boosts Ethanol Output

The global energy crunch is putting pressure on the sugar market as the world’s top exporters convert more cane into ethanol. Sugar hit a four-year high in October as energy supply shortages roiled commodity markets from magnesium to tomatoes. Facing rampant fuel inflation, Brazil and India are set to produce more ethanol from sugar cane,

Firm demand, lower output lift VLSFO market higher

Asia’s 0.5% very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) gained on Monday as firming utilities and bunkering demand for the fuel weighed on already tightening inventories, trade sources said. VLSFO output has declined recently as refiners switched to maximising production of higher value refined fuels amid soaring gasoil and gasoline refining margins. The VLSFO cash premium, front-month

Biofuels Would Receive $1 Bn Investment in Latest Biden Administration Proposal

The biofuels industry would receive a chunk of federal dollars as part of the latest draft of the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better Act” working its way through Congress The updated draft of the bill includes $1 billion in funding for the USDA to provide grants during the next 10 years to expand biofuel pump

How the petrochemicals industry can reduce its carbon footprint

The chemical building blocks derived from petrochemicals continue to play a crucial role in society. Syngas production contributes significantly to petrochemical CO2 emissions. The technology exists to significantly reduce syngas CO2 emissions at scale and help the industry on its road to net zero. Petrochemicals have played a crucial role in society for over 50