The approval the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted for rapeseed oil for use as a feedstock in biofuel production has led to a sharp rise in import volumes. On 1 December 2022, the EPA published a final rule (Renewable Fuel Standard / RFS) which states that rapeseed oil meets the requirement of at least 50% greenhouse gas reduction for all fuel options... [Read More]

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the approval of a non-binding legislative proposal to the Spanish government to promote the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Spain. The Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge Commission of Spain’s Congress of Deputies approved a proposal calling for the central government to:... [Read More]

OMV Petrom has concluded a contract with Expur for the supply of fully refined vegetable oil. It will be used as feedstock in the Petrobrazi refinery's sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO) production facility, for which the company recently made final investment decision. The contract was concluded for a period of six years, with the possibility... [Read More]

Certas Energy has created the industry’s first HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fleet balancing calculator, allowing fleet operators to calculate the cost of mixing HVO with traditional diesel to aid decarbonisation. HVO is a lower carbon alternative diesel which offers immediate greenhouse gas emissions savings of up to 90% compared to diesel across the product life... [Read More]

The Climate Ethanol Alliance (CEA) representing interests in Europe, the US and Asia, has been established to advance transport decarbonisation. The Alliance brings together bioethanol producers, service providers, and input suppliers within the bioeconomy to support the climate action goals of the Paris Agreement and accelerate the transport sector's transition towards... [Read More]

Shell Nederland Raffinaderij, a subsidiary of Shell plc, is to temporarily pause on-site construction work at its 820,000 tonnes a year biofuels facility at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam in the Netherlands to address project delivery and ensure future competitiveness given current market conditions. As a result, contractor numbers will reduce on site... [Read More]

Following the European elections, several high-profile MEPs and politicians have publicly stated that renewable fuels like biofuels will have a major role to play in reducing road GHG emissions in the coming decades, arguing against the ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel cars in the EU from 2035 onwards. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the most recent... [Read More]

India is following Brazil’s steps and increasing the ethanol blending mandate in the country. Brazil began commercial ethanol blending in gasoline in the 1970s, as a response to the sudden increase in crude oil prices, and with a view to reduce the country’s dependency on imported petroleum. In the 1970s the US began commercial ethanol blending petroleum for the... [Read More]

The strongest biofuel trends we see for this year are mostly in the realm of SAF production growth, which is supported by new mandates in the EU and Japan (more Asian countries are also likely issue mandates over the coming period). The SAF market is readying for take-off, and we are beginning to witness significant global expansion with numerous projects being announced... [Read More]

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and renewable energy sources, Axiom Global Oil and Gas Trading DMCC has emerged as one of the leaders in the biofuel industry. With a commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation, Axiom has achieved significant milestones and is poised for further growth and influence in the market. Introduction... [Read More]

Hot on the heels of the recently announced key hire and strategic growth plans, HutanBio seed round advances to £3 million (€3.5 million) with investment from UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund. This additional investment demonstrates the growing interest in low-carbon fuel technologies to support the drive to NetZero in the complex and more challenging Maritime and... [Read More]

Casterra has announced the receipt of an additional purchase order valued at $440,000 (€411,000) from an existing customer. This order expands Casterra's operations into a new African country and solidifies Casterra's unique offering in the biofuel market. Yoash Zohar, CEO of Casterra, said: "This additional order reflects the confidence in Casterra's capabilities... [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Cepsa sign a €285 million loan agreement for the construction of an advanced biofuels plant to be located next to the La Rábida Energy Park in Palos de la Frontera, Andalusia. The plant, which Cepsa is building together with Bio-Oils, will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO), from organic waste... [Read More]

HutanBio has solidified its commitment to the Cambridge entrepreneurial ecosystem with the announcement of expansion initiatives and the appointment of James Ibberson as Head of Engineering. James Ibberson joins HutanBio with a wealth of experience as founder and director of Tebira Ltd. A technical consultancy specialising in electronic, software, and systems development... [Read More]

XPO Logistics, the official transport partner of the Tour de France for the 44th consecutive year, will be reducing the environmental impact of the famous cycling event by using HVO biofuel and an electric truck. XPO Logistics will also be moving the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift as their Official Transport Partner since the inaugural edition of the Women´s Tour... [Read More]

OMV has started up its co-processing plant at the Schwechat refinery in Austria. Almost €200 million has been invested to allow up to 160,000 metric tons of liquid biomass being converted into high-quality renewable hydrogenated vegetable oil components. These more sustainable blending components will be used also for formulation of OMV’s MaxxMotion Diesel. It... [Read More]

Growing production of soybean meal in the US and South America is driving the use in biofuels and has caused global biodiesel supply to rise to a record high level. Based on official data, private sources and forecasts, the International Grains Council (IGC) estimates global production of biodiesel, including HVO, for 2023 at a record high of 71.5 million tonnes. This... [Read More]