US urges EU to delay deforestation regulation: Update

Spanish Market: Agriculture, Biomass, Fertilizers
21/06/24

Adds comment from an EU official in paragraph six

The US government has urged the European Commission to delay the implementation of the EU's deforestation regulation (EUDR), which is due to come into force from 30 December.

"We are deeply concerned with the remaining uncertainty and the short time frame to address the significant challenges for US producers to comply with the regulation," US authorities said in a 30 May letter seen by Argus that was signed by agriculture secretary Thomas Vilsack, commerce secretary Gina Raimondo and US trade representative Katherine Tai, and addressed to the commission's vice-president, Maros Sefcovic.

The US authorities have together with "several stakeholders" identified four "critical challenges" for US producers to understand and comply with the EUDR: no final version of the EUDR information system for producers to submit the mandatory due diligence documentation has been established yet; no implementation guidance has been provided — with the traceability system expected to launch in November; many EU member states have not designated a competent authority to enforce the regulation; and finally, the EU has an interim decision to classify all countries as standard risk, regardless of forestry practices.

Should these issues not be addressed before the EUDR starts being enforced, it "could have significant negative economic effects on both producers and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic", the letter said.

"We therefore urge the EU Commission to delay the implementation of this regulation and subsequent enforcement of penalties" until the challenges have been addressed, it added.

An EU official confirmed receipt of the US letter to Argus and said the commission would reply in due course.

A number of EU member states had also urged the EU to revise the EUDR in March, although the EU environment commissioner said at the time that the EU was ready for implementation and that they did "not see any issues".

The EUDR requires mandatory due diligence from operators and traders selling and importing cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soya, rubber and wood into the EU. Derivative products that contain, have been fed with or made using cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, soya, rubber and wood — such as leather, chocolate and furniture as well as charcoal, printed paper products and certain palm oil derivatives — are also subject to the regulation.

Firms must ensure that products sold in the EU have not caused deforestation or forest degradation. The law sets penalties for non-compliance, with a maximum fine of at least 4pc of the total annual EU turnover of the non-compliant operator or trader.

The regulation requires geolocation data for proof of traceability, and does not accept the widely used mass-balance approach, which has often been cited by industries as one major challenge for implementation.

The EUDR will establish a system to assess the risk for individual countries, but the US Department of Agriculture has previously said that even if the US were classified as a low-risk country, compliance would still be costly and challenging, and at least $8bn/yr of US agricultural exports to the EU would be affected.

By Erisa Senerdem and Dafydd ab Iago

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

22/05/25

India's Kribhco buys Saudi DAP

London, 22 May (Argus) — Indian importer Kribhco has bought 40,000t of DAP at around $738/t cfr from Saudi Arabian producer Ma'aden. The cargo will load in June and the price nets back to around $724/t fob Ras al-Khair. This follows Ma'aden's sale of 40,000t of DAP to another Indian importer at the same price, also for loading in June, reported earlier today . By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

European Parliament adopts carbon border changes

22/05/25

European Parliament adopts carbon border changes

Brussels, 22 May (Argus) — The European Parliament today approved changes to the bloc's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) that are estimated to exempt 90pc of importers from the measure, linked to the EU emissions trading system (ETS), although a final legal text still needs to be agreed with EU member states. The parliament adopted by a large majority the European Commission's proposal, with a minor amendment to clarify that CBAM covers electricity importers but not power generated "entirely" in the European Economic Area (EEA) countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and imported to the EU. These countries are covered by the EU ETS. The adopted text also confirms the start date for CBAM certificate sales as 1 February 2027, pushed back from 2026 previously, to "address significant uncertainties related to the year 2026". Parliament said the new de minimis mass threshold of 50t would exempt 90pc of importers from the CBAM. The commission designed the changes to continue to cover the bulk of CO2 emissions from imports of iron, steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers. Most fertiliser imported to the EU is in the form of bulk shipments, which are well above 50t. Russia earlier this week launched a formal dispute procedure at the World Trade Organisation against CBAM as an "alleged export subsidy". By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexican GDP outlook dims on tariffs: IMEF

21/05/25

Mexican GDP outlook dims on tariffs: IMEF

Mexico City, 21 May (Argus) — Mexico's association of finance executives IMEF lowered its 2025 growth forecast for a fourth consecutive month, citing the growing impact of US tariffs on the economy. GDP is now expected to grow just 0.1pc in 2025, according to IMEF's May survey, down from 0.2pc estimates in April, 0.6pc in March and 1pc in February. The number of respondents forecasting a contraction in GDP rose to 16, or 37pc of the sample, from nine in April. While the US has granted some exemptions and discounts for Mexican goods meeting regional content rules, IMEF said the effective tariff rate on Mexican exports remains higher than that for Canada, Brazil, India, Vietnam and others. "We're already seeing the [tariffs'] impacts," said IMEF economic studies director Victor Herrera, adding that May trade data will likely show a sharp drop in Mexican exports to the US. Trade is also being hit by a screwworm outbreak in cattle that led to port closures last week and curtailed beef exports, which account for $1.3bn in annual exports. More automakers could relocate or scale back production in Mexico, Herrera said, after Stellantis confirmed plans to shift some operations to the US and recent reports Nissan may close one or both of its Mexican plants. In response, Mexico this week sent deputy economy minister Luis Rosendo Gutierrez to Tokyo to meet with Mazda, Nissan, Toyota and Honda executives. IMEF cut its 2025 job creation forecast to 200,000 in May from 220,000 in April. Mexico's social security administration IMSS reported only 43,500 new jobs over the past 12 months as of 5 May. Beyond trade, IMEF flagged uncertainty from recent constitutional reforms and the potential for a US tax on remittances as additional risks to growth. The group held its 2025 inflation forecast steady at 3.8pc, despite Mexico's consumer price index rising to 3.93pc in April from 3.80pc in March . IMEF noted concerns about a potential rebound in inflation later this year after the central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 9pc on 8 May — the third such cut in 2025. The group now sees the end-2025 rate at 7.75pc, down from 8pc previously. IMEF expects the peso to end the year at Ps20.80/$1, slightly lower than the Ps20.90/$1 forecast in April. The peso recently strengthened to Ps19.34/$1, though Herrera said this reflected dollar weakness more than peso strength. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EPA to set biofuel mandate 'very soon': Zeldin

21/05/25

EPA to set biofuel mandate 'very soon': Zeldin

New York, 21 May (Argus) — Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lee Zeldin stressed Wednesday that the US is working quickly to propose and finalize new biofuel blend mandates. EPA last week sent proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 — and likely at least one future year — to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, the final step before a draft rule can be released. Zeldin referenced that process at a Senate hearing Wednesday and said "we expect the proposed rule to be finalized and released very soon." Asked by US senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) whether the agency was planning on releasing something by summer or fall, Zeldin said he was eyeing a "much, much faster" timeline. "We'll finalize this as quickly as we possibly can," he said. Zeldin has stressed at recent House and Senate hearings that the agency is expediting the months-delayed rulemaking. Under the Renewable Fuel Standard, EPA requires oil refiners and importers to blend annual amounts of different types of biofuels into the conventional fuel supply. EPA decisions on volume mandates — and on requests for exemptions from small refiners — are highly influential for crop feedstock demand, biofuel production margins and retail fuel prices. Zeldin said last week at a House subcommittee hearing that EPA was also weighing what to do with a backlog of requests from small refiners for exemptions from program requirements. "None of these were getting approved at all in the last administration," Zeldin said. "We want to get caught up as quickly as we can." EPA has not commented more recently on its specific timeline and plans, but the agency said earlier this year that it wanted to get the frequently delayed biofuel program back on its statutory timeline. The Clean Air Act requires new volumes to be finalized 14 months in advance of a compliance year, which in this case would require proposed volumes for 2027 to be released soon for public comment and then finalized before November this year. A coalition of industry groups, including the American Petroleum Institute and Clean Fuels Alliance America, have pushed the agency to hike the biomass-based diesel mandate from 3.35bn USG this year to a record-high 5.25bn USG next year. Other groups, including fuel marketers, have urged more caution given a sharp drop in biofuel production to start 2025 and uncertainty about the future of a federal clean fuel tax credit being renegotiated in Congress. As part of the White House process, outside groups can seek meetings with the Trump administration to present their views on a pending regulation. Meetings are scheduled through 4 June on the proposed volumes — and through 9 June on a related rule to cut last year's cellulosic biofuel quota — though the US has expedited the process before. Last year, President Joe Biden's administration cancelled previously scheduled meetings on the initial proposal to cut cellulosic targets as a way to more speedily exit the review process. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Q&A: US cleantech firm to start biochar plant in Quebec

21/05/25

Q&A: US cleantech firm to start biochar plant in Quebec

London, 21 May (Argus) — US cleantech manufacturer ONYM is due to commission its first commercial-size biochar plant later this year, supplying steelmaker ArcelorMittal with 15,000 t/yr of biochar, about 36,000 t/yr of dry pyrolysis oil and 10,000 t/yr of wood vinegar for its steel mill in Quebec, Canada, the firm's executive vice-president Mustapha Ouyed told Argus . The project follows the successful trial of an ONYM demonstration plant in La Tuque, Quebec, which produced 1,700 t/yr of biochar, 4,300 t/yr of dry pyrolysis oil and 1,300 t/yr of wood vinegar in 2016-19. 1. What stage is the project with ArcelorMittal currently at and when do you expect to start commissioning biochar production at the plant? Following the collaboration agreement signed with ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada, ONYM is currently producing metallurgy-grade biochar to support qualification testing. The tests will validate biochar performance for potential use in low-carbon steel production. These trials will also support the development of ONYM's first large-scale commercial facility dedicated to serving heavy industry needs. 2. What type and volumes of biomass will it use? And where will you source the raw material? The upcoming commercial facility will process approximately 80,000 t/yr of dry woody biomass. Feedstock will primarily come from forest industry residues, but ONYM is also committed to maximising the use of urban wood waste — such as tree trimming, pruning residues and clean post-industrial wood — replicating the short supply chain and circular economy approach already in place at our Montreal pilot site. 3. How much CO₂ emissions reduction will result from the use of biochar at the industrial client's site? And will you earn carbon removal credits from biochar sales? Based on current scenarios: • If our anhydrous pyrolytic oil replaces natural gas combustion and biochar replaces metallurgical coal, the potential GHG reduction could reach around 70,000 t/yr of CO₂ equivalent. • If heavy fuel oil is displaced instead, the reduction could exceed 90,000 t/yr of CO₂ equivalent. When sold to facilities regulated under Quebec's Cap-and-Trade System (SPEDE), our products generate surplus emission allowances for the buyers. The carbon value is embedded in our product pricing while remaining competitive against the total cost of using fossil alternatives such as natural gas or metallurgical coal. 4. How do you price biochar? We position our biochar at a price point that is competitive with the total cost of metallurgical coal usage, while integrating the embedded carbon reduction value. Our pricing remains lower than most comparable market offerings observed to date, supporting industrial decarbonisation at scale. 5. What technology are you using to produce biochar? ONYM's proprietary technology is based on an auger-type pyrolysis reactor operating at near-atmospheric pressure, using carbon steel balls as the heat transfer medium instead of traditional sand. This design results in lower capital and operating expenditures compared with conventional pyrolysis technologies. Unlike many systems that focus on a single output, ONYM's platform enables the simultaneous and efficient production of biochar, pyrolytic oil, renewable gases and wood vinegar, maximising biomass valorisation across multiple markets. 6. What was the outcome of your showcase plant? And what was the biochar production capacity of the project? Our Montreal showcase plant successfully achieved its design capacity of 1.2 t/hr of dry biomass processed. With full continuous operations, the plant's potential reaches approximately 2,000 t/yr of biochar. Operations validated product quality, reactor stability, and the ability to meet the stringent performance standards required by industrial sectors. 7. How many other projects are you planning, what capacity are they and when will they start operating? ONYM has secured a robust pipeline of projects across North America and internationally, with target processing capacities ranging from 80,000 t/yr to 120,000 t/yr of dry biomass per facility. Several of these projects are scheduled to materialise over the next two to three years, aiming to supply decarbonisation solutions to multiple heavy industries. 8. To which industries and geographies do you plan to supply biochar? Our focus is on heavy industry applications — including steel, cement, and metallurgy — where carbon-neutral materials can displace fossil carbon sources directly. We are also targeting the carbon credit market and emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture. Our geographic reach prioritises Canada, the US and selective entry into European markets aligned with strong decarbonisation policies. 9. What key challenges and opportunities does ONYM see in the coming years? To accelerate decarbonisation, the availability of high-quality, carbon-negative bioenergies must scale rapidly. At ONYM, we believe it is time to move beyond pilots and prototypes — and build the infrastructure necessary to industrialise circular bioenergy production at scale. We invite industries, governments and biomass suppliers to collaborate with us to expand the volume, reach and climate impact of these essential solutions. By Marta Imarisio Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more