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.
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Latest biofuels news
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Brazil’s inflation quickens to 4.63pc in October
Brazil’s inflation quickens to 4.63pc in October
Sao Paulo, 12 November (Argus) — Brazil's inflation accelerated to an annual 4.63pc in October, on broad-based gains led by higher food and beverage costs. The consumer price index IPCA accelerated from 4.58pc in September, national statistics agency IBGE said on Thursday. The latest move puts inflation above the central bank's target range of 1.50-4.5pc. Food and beverage costs increased to an annual 5.73pc in October, up from 4.66pc in September . Communication inflation increased to 3.68pc in October, from 2.79pc in September, driven by readjustments in internet access and mobile phone service plans. Transport costs decreased to an annual 3.20pc in October from 3.94pc in September, driven by a 9.21pc monthly decrease in airfares. Vehicle fuel inflation fell to 4.30pc from 4.97pc, as gasoline and vehicle natural gas prices fell, while diesel and ethanol prices rose. Housing inflation decelerated to an annual 4.01pc from 4.22pc a month earlier, pushed down by a 1.92 decrease in residential electricity prices and the green tariff flag that took effect this month, which carries no additional charges on electricity bills. Brazil's central bank expects inflation to end 2026 at 5pc, above its 1.5-4.5pc targeted range. Meanwhile, Brazil's central bank has paused its target rate to 13.75pc in November, driven by more restrictive monetary policy given the prolongation of armed conflicts, a lack of fiscal adjustment and financial markets' reactions to the re-election of Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on 25 October. By Mariana Funchal Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Cop: Turkey calls on nations to step up on biogas
Cop: Turkey calls on nations to step up on biogas
Hamburg, 12 November (Argus) — Turkey launched a declaration at the UN Cop 31 climate summit in Antalya calling on governments to accelerate the development of biogas and biomethane to expand sustainable fuel use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Turkey is presiding over the summit this year in collaboration with Australia. The declaration, which was presented with the support from the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the European Biogas Association (EBA) is open for endorsement. It urges governments and industry to stimulate demand for biogases, improve access to finance, integrate biomethane into gas and transport markets and strengthen certification systems. Members of the United Biogas Alliance, including the biogas associations of Brazil, Canada, the US and Denmark, have already backed the declaration. The declaration comes a year after countries at Cop 30 backed the "Belem 4x" pledge to quadruple global sustainable fuel use by 2035 from 2024 levels. IEA analysis underpinning that pledge puts liquid and gaseous biofuels at around two-thirds of sustainable fuel demand by 2030, highlighting a major role for biogas and biomethane in the energy transition. Sustainable global biogas and biomethane production potential could reach almost 1,400bn m³/yr by 2050, equivalent to around a quarter of current global natural gas demand, according to Turkey's declaration. Around 80pc of that potential lies in emerging and developing economies, according to the IEA. The energy watchdog calculated that global biogas and biomethane production was just under 50bn m³/yr in 2023. Europe is the biggest producer of biogases, followed by China, the US and India. Wider deployment of biogas and biomethane can support climate goals, energy security and rural development by producing renewable gas, electricity and heat, according to the declaration. It could also help improve waste management and providing by-products such as organic fertiliser and biogenic CO2, it said. The declaration highlights biomethane's potential role in transport markets, calling for stronger integration into existing gas and transport infrastructure and the development of common methodologies and certification frameworks. "The launch of the Biogas Declaration at Cop 31 sends an important signal: a proven and readily available solution with significant global potential needs to be more firmly integrated into international climate and energy action," EBA chief executive Harmen Dekker said. Signatories plan to review progress ahead of Cop 32. By Svea Winter Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Ship owner interest in Jones Act waivers falls
Ship owner interest in Jones Act waivers falls
New York, 12 November (Argus) — Interest in Jones Act waiver trips by foreign vessel owners has decreased since mid-August when the new case-by-case review process was implemented, according to people familiar with the matter. The combination of increased scrutiny by the US Maritime Administration (MARAD), high international tanker rates and the clarification by US authorities that foreign vessels using the waiver would still be subject to US taxes, have lowered the use of Jones Act waivers by foreign shipowners. The US administration initially waived the Jones Act — which allows only US-flagged, US-owned and US-crewed vessels to carry US-to-US shipments — on 17 March on national security grounds, opening up domestic shipping to foreign vessels. The waiver has since been extended twice, first in May and again in August, with some additional oversight . The current waiver extension is slated to expire on 15 November, and domestic maritime interests called on US president Donald Trump last week to not renew it. The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) in its letter urging Trump to let the waiver lapse said increased review of waiver requests and the IRS clarifying that foreign vessels using Jones Act waivers would still be subject to US tax laws is reducing foreign vessel movement within US-US trades. A shipowner familiar with the matter told Argus that the tax issue was an important factor in preventing charterer interest in using spot foreign-flagged vessels for Jones Act trips. Shipowners are also keen to capitalize on the higher rates in the current tanker market. They are looking to put their ships on time charters, to lock in historically high earnings, rather than book single spot market Jones Act trips, which is also contributing to fewer international vessels using the waiver, according to a Jones Act shipowner. Case-by-case review process Starting in mid-August, the Jones Act waiver switched from an automatic blanket waiver to a case-by-case review in which MARAD consulted with the domestic maritime community to assess the availability of domestic vessels to carry a cargo before deciding to approve or deny a request. Out of 185 vessel availability requests sent by MARAD to the domestic maritime community since the start of the case-by-case review process, 41 requests were approved and 62 denied. The outcome of the remaining 79 requests is still pending, and an additional three requests were rescinded, according to a broker familiar with the matter. In its letter to Trump last week, AMP called the switch to the new process a step in the right direction while still noting that the waiver threatens investment in American shipyards, the revitalization of which has championed by the Trump administration. Denouncing the lack of transparency of the case-by-case waiver process, Aaron Smith, president of the Offshore Marine Service Association told Argus that going forward Jones Act waivers should only be made in a transparent manner and only when there is a true lack of US equipment and a genuine national defense need. The White House did not respond to multiple requests for comments from Argus on whether the Jones Act waiver would be extended or allowed to lapse. By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Cop: Airlines, developers grapple with Corsia shortfall
Cop: Airlines, developers grapple with Corsia shortfall
Antalya, 12 November (Argus) — Stakeholders in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia) credit market are concerned that an estimated supply gap of 200mn tonnes or more will not be bridged before the programme's first compliance deadline, but they differ sharply on how to address the issue. The first phase of Corsia ends this year, with airlines required to demonstrate compliance by the end of January 2028. But at this point, supply uncertainty is raising concerns about whether they will succeed. Some developers said the airlines need to get into the market now, which will lead to more project development to meet demand. The industry said it is dealing with surging fuel costs but will enter the market in time for compliance. Other factors are also complicating demand and supply, including uncertainty about whether the EU will expand its emissions trading system (ETS) to cover international aviation. "It might be the case that airlines are not necessarily thinking of buying their Corsia credits just yet," said Marie Owens Thomsen, senior vice president for sustainability at the International Air Transport Association, during an International Emissions Trading Association event at the UN Cop 31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey. But a year out, the industry feels "an acute compliance anxiety" because of the projected shortfall, and as a result "we are here to beg the UNFCCC [UN Framework Convention on Climate Change] community and all the member states" to do what they can to "bring the missing 200mn t onto the market," she said. Some developers are skeptical of industry's reasons for waiting until the last minute to buy credits, pointing to the fact that some airlines are still making significant profits. "That to me should be a sign that they should go and buy some credits," DelAgua chief executive Euan McDougall said. But more credits are about to hit the market, as much as 25mn t from African nations, which should ease supply concerns, according to McDougall. "Demand is what needs to needs to come to the market now" to drive more project investment, he said. Complicating matters is the political uncertainty coming from the EU as it considers whether to include international aviation in its ETS. If it waits too long, airlines will be put in a difficult situation, according to Lev Gantly, a partner at the law firm Philip Lee in Dublin, Ireland, who advises on carbon market transactions. "It's completely unacceptable that the EU, we're 14 months away from the deadline, are still here without a decision", he said. Some developers have suggested that more pressure from governments in the form of non-compliance fees could push airlines into the Corsia market quickly. "The stick at this point is necessary," McDougall said. But the threat of penalties at this point may not do much unless supply shows up in the market, according to Owens Thomsen. "We hope...that we will have the missing 200 million when the airlines are obliged to comply, but we do not know that", she said. By Michael Ball Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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