Biofuels and feedstocks
Overview
Demand for biofuels is increasing significantly, driven by the need to decarbonise road transport as part of the energy transition. Global biofuels output is expected to rise by more than 3mn b/d in the next five years, and such rapid growth means that new challenges and opportunities are constantly emerging. Keeping on top of the ever-changing biofuels landscape requires accurate pricing, insightful analysis and access to the latest data.
The Argus biofuels solution provides in-depth pricing and market analysis across the entire global renewable fuel supply chain, from original feedstock to finished fuel, with prices and key insights into regional biodiesel, ethanol and feedstock markets.
Latest biofuels news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global biofuels industry.
Trump withdraws EU, UK tariff threat
Trump withdraws EU, UK tariff threat
Washington, 21 January (Argus) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will not proceed with plans to impose a 10pc tariff on imports from the UK and seven EU members over their position on US ownership of Greenland, averting a possible tariff war with Europe. Trump, writing via his social media platform, explained his decision by having reached the "framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region." Trump is in Davos, Switzerland, where he met with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and delivered a rambling speech to explain his motivation for trying to annex Denmark's Greenland territory. Trump and the White House did not provide details of a possible deal. Trump on 17 January threatened to impose an additional 10pc tariff on US imports from the UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Those countries pushed back on his Greenland plans and sent a military mission to the Arctic island to examine its security needs. Trump also said he tasked vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff with negotiating the placement of the so-called Golden Dome missile defense network in Greenland. Trump's threats to annex Greenland and to impose tariffs on European countries that pushed back against his plans sent US stock and financial markets lower on Tuesday, out of concern that a tariff war may erupt between the US and the EU. The European parliament was preparing to freeze work on implementing laws for the EU-US trade deal agreed to last summer. Stock and financial markets bounced back after Trump earlier Wednesday appeared to have ruled out the use of military force to take over Greenland, with further gains after he said he would not proceed with tariffs. By Haik Gugarats Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US energy advocates ready last push on E15 deal
US energy advocates ready last push on E15 deal
New York, 21 January (Argus) — US energy groups are readying a last-minute push for Congress to authorize year-round sales of a higher-ethanol gasoline blend, including a meeting at the White House today. The American Petroleum Institute (API) and ethanol groups agreed on the framework for a sweeping biofuel policy bill earlier this month and have lobbied lawmakers to include the deal in larger legislation to fund the government after 30 January, multiple people familiar with the deal told Argus . But oil refiners that would lose the ability to bid for exemptions from annual biofuel blend quotas have pushed back aggressively. Supporters of the deal will head to the White House today for a meeting today to lobby for President Donald's Trump support, according to three people familiar with the matter. API will attend the meeting along with farm and ethanol advocates. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. US representative Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) proposed an amendment to the spending package this week to include the deal hashed out by the oil group and farm interests. The deal would immediately authorize year-round sales of 15pc ethanol gasoline (E15) and would, starting in 2028, prevent larger companies from seeking exemptions from annual biofuel blend mandates while offering some small refiners that remain eligible annual 75pc exemptions. The US House Rules Committee is holding a meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to allow a vote on the Nunn amendment during eventual floor debate on the spending package. Any deal would have to be added to the House legislation and then confirmed by the Senate too before heading to Trump's desk. Unlocking permanent access to E15 would be a major victory for ethanol producers, who have long claimed wider access to the typically-cheaper blend would benefit farmers and drivers alike. Oil majors have grown more comfortable with E15 too unlike some of their smaller refining rivals, preferring consistent nationwide rules to costly workarounds like a looming shift in the midcontinent to a boutique fuel blend that would allow more ethanol. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Vioneo to shift planned MTP plant to China
Vioneo to shift planned MTP plant to China
London, 19 January (Argus) — Chemical start-up Vioneo has decided to build its planned 300,000 t/yr methanol-to-polymers (MTP) plant in China instead of Europe, saying a location close to green methanol supply will "enable pricing that works … and a faster route to market". The China site will use the same technology partners, product specifications and sustainability commitments as the proposed European project. Production is likely in 2029-30, with capacity unchanged at 200,000 t/yr of polypropylene and 100,000 t/yr of polyethylene, the company said. A spokesperson said Vioneo — a subsidiary of Denmark's Moller Holding — is "pulling out" of Europe for now but may return to build polymer capacity on the continent in future. The firm's priority is to bring "fossil-free plastics to market as quickly as possible", the spokesperson said, adding that moving to China will allow the company to be more competitive on pricing. Vioneo has already signed preliminary supply deals with buyers and said it can serve these global customers from Asia rather than Europe. Vioneo had previously planned to build its first commercial-scale unit in Antwerp, Belgium. Last month it said this plant would start up in 2029, using green methanol sourced from agricultural and forestry residues that do not compete with food production. But it also noted at the time that Europe lacked sufficient feedstock and that supply might need to come from Asia. The China plant will also use agricultural and forestry residues as feedstock, the spokesperson said. The company last month welcomed the European Bioeconomy Strategy, which aims to support the use of bio-based plastics and novel materials by 2027 alongside recycling. Vioneo said the strategy would "create real advantages" for its customer base. By George Barsted Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
API, ethanol groups clinch deal on US biofuel bill
API, ethanol groups clinch deal on US biofuel bill
New York, 17 January (Argus) — The American Petroleum Institute (API) and ethanol groups have agreed on reforms to US biofuel policy that they would like to see, teeing up a last-minute lobbying campaign to get the provisions included in federal budget legislation this month. API and ethanol supporters that include the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy have aligned around limiting refineries' future exemptions from biofuel mandates and making some changes to a bipartisan bill that would permit a higher-ethanol gasoline blend, according to four people familiar with the deal and draft text shared with Argus . The groups' final framework — which they will pitch to lawmakers in the hopes of swiftly adding it to government spending bills this month — would authorize sales of up to 15pc ethanol gasoline (E15) year-round. Summertime sales of ethanol blends above 10pc are restricted in most of the US because of rules meant to minimize smog. If passed into law, the deal would be a major victory for ethanol producers who have long claimed wider access to the typically-cheaper blend would benefit farmers and drivers alike. Oil majors have grown more comfortable with E15 too, preferring consistent nationwide rules to costly workarounds like a looming shift in the midcontinent to a boutique fuel blend that would allow more ethanol. While the E15 fix would take effect immediately, the energy groups want to keep existing rules around biofuel quotas and exemptions in place through 2027. Under the current system, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires oil companies to blend minimum volumes of biofuels while allowing hardship exemptions for some small refineries that annually process no more than 75,000 b/d of crude. Starting in the 2028 compliance year, relief would be awarded only to companies that process 75,000 b/d or less across all their refineries and that also maintain that eligibility each year. These smaller facilities would win automatic 75pc exemptions from biofuel quotas starting in 2028 without having to apply each year, effectively ending discretion for regulators to choose which refineries deserve exemptions. Under the proposal, EPA starting in 2028 also would not require larger oil companies blend more biofuels to offset exemptions granted to their smaller rivals. This longer phase-in would address concerns from some energy lobbyists that more immediate changes could delay EPA's work to finalize new blend mandates. The agency wants to finalize new blend quotas for 2026 and 2027 in the coming weeks. Fuel fight The draft bill's text could change as lobbyists pitch the agreement to lawmakers and try to minimize backlash from oil refiners, people familiar with the matter said. But there is little time for more negotiations, with advocates of the deal pushing Congress to include it in legislation to fund government agencies after 30 January. Lawmakers have expressed similar urgency. There may be "news soon" on updates to the existing E15 bill draft, bill sponsor and US senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) said in an online interview with Brownfield Ag News this week. The current deal would be a substantial blow to refiners that have won exemptions for small units in the past but run too many larger facilities to qualify under the proposed rules, including independent refiners Delek and Par Pacific. Other merchant refiners worry that the biofuel lobby will use wider ethanol access as a pretext to push for higher blend mandates in future years, which they say risks refinery closures. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers chief executive told Argus this week that his refinery members were divided over E15 talks. API had surprised its traditional oil refining allies last year by teaming up with ethanol interests on a larger biofuel policy package . Other biofuel producers have long wanted tighter restrictions on hardship waivers than the latest deal, another hiccup for negotiations. Particularly controversial among farm advocates is a holdover provision from the current E15 bill to grant some small refiners active credits they can use toward future mandates. API, the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy as well as chief Senate bill sponsors Fischer and Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) did not immediately reply to requests for comment. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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