EU UCO imports rebound in 2Q

: Biofuels
23/08/21

Used cooking oil (UCO) imports into the EU recovered during April-June after falling for two consecutive quarters, while soybean oil (SBO) imports were a quarter higher than in the same period last year, preliminary data from GTT show.

UCO imports totalled 506,000t in the second quarter, down by 12.3pc year on year, but up by 7.3pc from the first quarter. After reaching a 2022 high of 728,200t in the third quarter last year, imports declined to 608,750t in the subsequent quarter and further to 471,600t in January-March.

UCO imports in June were more than a quarter lower than in May, totalling 146,100t, compared with 187,500t in June last year. The Netherlands took almost 68pc — 98,900t — of all the imports that month, compared with 114,450t in May and 111,450t in June 2022.

Second-quarter UCO prices in northwest Europe nearly halved year on year. Argus UCO fob ARA range and cif ARA prompt assessments averaged $961.92/t and $873.47/t, respectively, in April-June, 47pc and 50pc lower than in the same period in 2022. UCO fob ARA range has since firmed back to $1,098.93/t as an August average to date and hit a five-month high of $1,130/t on 18 August, while the cif ARA prices averaged $951.14/t in the same period.

About 34,150t of UCO imports were logged under European customs data as having come from China. Chinese data show biodiesel exports fell in June as the arbitrage to northwest Europe closed, although exports rebounded in July according to the latest data.

Palm oil arrivals into the EU moved down from the first to second quarters to 1.12mn t, or 5.3pc down from the second quarter of 2022. Imports stood at 308,550t in June alone, the lowest so far in 2023. But imports under the industrial palm oil codes totalled 120,950t in June, up by 3.6pc from May and 23,100t higher year on year.

SBO imports in the second quarter climbed by 11.1pc on the quarter and 25pc on the year to 123,300t, although imports in June were down by 14,750t on the month to 43,250t. All the SBO arrivals in June were for industrial, non-food use.

Preliminary customs data is subject to change in future monthly reports.

By Gabriel Lorca Aicardi

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25/12/17

Viewpoint: Dutch ticket move to help low-emission fuels

London, 17 December (Argus) — A change in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) is pushing the Netherlands, a key renewable fuel ticket market in Europe, to pivot from compliance based on energy share to greenhouse gas (GHG) savings, and should benefit fuels with higher emission savings. The Netherlands will switch to GHG-based ERE tickets on 1 January 2026. The mandate will apply retroactively if the legislation is passed beyond that date. The move more closely aligns Dutch compliance with Germany's THG quota and accelerates a broader shift to reward fuels with high greenhouse gas (GHG) savings, as well as RED Annex IX Part A feedstock status, positioning advanced Fame, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and biomethane as front-runners. RED III's overall 2030 target gives EU member states the option to reduce their GHGs by 14.5pc, or to have a 29pc renewable energy share in their overall fuel mix. This is a significant step-up from RED II, which only required states to have 14pc renewable energy in their mix by 2030. Most major states incentivise the uptake of RED targets through the use of renewable fuel ticket systems. Tickets are used by companies supplying liquid or gaseous fossil fuels in the country and are obligated to pay excise duty or energy tax on fuels. They can be traded to meet obligations and are primarily generated via the blending of renewable fuels into fossil fuels, with additional sources of tickets including electricity used to charge e-vehicles. The Dutch change will benefit fuels with higher emissions savings and move away from a more simplistic approach where one HBE ticket is equal to 1 GJ of energy use, with multipliers available based on feedstock type. The current four HBE categories will expand to 16 types of ERE tickets , defined by transport sector — land, inland waterways and maritime — as well as feedstock. An HBE-to-ERE ratio of 1:46, as per the Dutch Emissions Authority's (NEa) guidance, has already begun to guide transitional pricing. All 2025 HBEs must be submitted by 30 April, after which any non-redeemed HBEs will be converted into EREs, subject to a legal cap on the amount that can be carried from year to year. Premiums for RED Annex IX Part A fuels should grow as demand for corresponding ERE-Gs does the same. But ERE-B values — comprising fuels from RED Annex IX Part B feedstocks — will be affected by a mismatch between RED III vs FuelEU Maritime rules . Shipping mismatch Under FuelEU, a separate legislation from RED III, Part B fuels remain eligible, whereas the domestic transposition of RED III means EREs count the same as using fossil fuel for only the maritime obligation. Shipping vessels are likely to either bunker elsewhere, or opt for Part A fuels that can meet both mandates. Maritime suppliers can source up to 0.9pc of their mix from road and inland waterways, preserving a narrow role for Part B fuels via cross-sector ERE flows. But EREs from shipping cannot be used by land suppliers. Aviation fuel blending will no longer generate Dutch tickets, removing a source of Part B tickets, as the bio-component of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has mostly been produced from used cooking oil. Overall, liquidity in the Netherlands will fragment by sector — LREs for land, BREs for inland shipping and ZREs for maritime shipping — all taking a Dutch acronym. Across the EU, GHG-based transport fuel mandates with tight feedstock caps should tighten supply of Part A fuels and renewable fuels from non-biological origin (RFNBOs), while remaining energy-based systems may lean on conventional and Part B biofuels. The Dutch-German axis, as the largest GHG-based ticket markets, may increasingly anchor to Part A fuel tickets. Advanced biofuel suppliers will be monitoring which market provides better ticket value for their fuel at a given time. France also plans to replace its energy-based TIRUERT tickets with GHG-based IRICCs in 2027 . Outside the RED III remit, the UK is consulting on whether to follow suit as it updates its RTFO scheme; consultation updates are expected in early 2026, and any resulting changes are expected in 2027. By Madeleine Jenkins Fuel ticket systems in Europe GHG-based renewable fuel ticket systems Germany – THG (€/t CO₂e) Austria - THG (€/t CO₂e) Netherlands – ERE (€/kg CO₂e) Energy-based renewable fuel ticket systems Belgium – HEE (€/megajoule) Ireland – RTFO (€/megajoule) Italy – CIC (€/10 Gcal) France - TIRUERT (€/m3, €/MWh) Spain – CCRs (€/toe) Portugal – TbD (€/toe) Volumetric-based renewable fuel ticket systems UK – RTFO (£/litre) Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EcoCeres exports first SAF output from Malaysia's Johor

25/12/17

EcoCeres exports first SAF output from Malaysia's Johor

Singapore, 17 December (Argus) — Hong Kong-based biofuels producer EcoCeres has exported the first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) volumes produced at its new hydrotreated biofuels plant in Johor, Malaysia, according to a company LinkedIn post and company sources. EcoCeres exported 10,000t of SAF last week, a company source said. The cargo was purchased by Mitsui Energy Trading Singapore (Mets), a subsidiary of Mitsui, and was loaded on a vessel that sailed from Tanjung Langsat and is bound for Europe, EcoCeres said in its LinkedIn post. The Medium Range vessel Stolt Glory loaded 10,000t of SAF from Tanjung Langsat on 5 December, and is due to reach Rotterdam in mid-January, according to Kpler data. But another company source declined to confirm if this was EcoCeres' cargo. The biofuels producer previously produced its first on-specification SAF volumes at Johor in October . The plant, which can produce a maximum of 420,000 t/year of SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), is now running at full rates, a company source said. The Argus fob ARA SAF price fell to nearly four-month lows of $2,247/t on 3 December, but has since risen slightly to $2,281/t as of 16 December. The decline was likely on the back of a lack of urgency among EU suppliers to fulfill mandates at the start of the new obligation year, although some volumes were traded this week , possibly because buyers were locking in deals in advance. EcoCeres also operates another 350,000 t/yr SAF and HVO plant in Jiangsu, China. By Sarah Giam Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update

25/12/16

EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update

Adds details on credits, transport commissioner comment in paragraphs 4-6 Brussels, 16 December (Argus) — The European Commission has proposed a new 90pc cut in car fleet emissions by 2035, replacing the previously agreed 100pc target that would have effectively phased out the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from that date The plan would allow some new ICE vehicles to remain on sale beyond 2035, alongside plug-in hybrids, range extenders and mild hybrids, as well as electric and hydrogen cars. The remaining 10pc of emissions would need to be offset through low-carbon steel, e-fuels or biofuels, according to the commission. The proposals need to be adopted by a majority in the European Parliament and among EU states. Automakers could also "bank and borrow" credits between 2030-32 to help meet the existing 2030 target of a 55pc cut from 2021 levels. Under the new proposals, manufacturers using these flexibilities would only need to achieve a 40pc fleet-average reduction, down from a previously planned 50pc. The commission indicated that credits for greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from e-fuels and biofuels can compensate up to 3pc of manufacturers' reference targets for 2035 and low-carbon steel credits can compensate for a further 7pc. Transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the credit system will boost uptake of sustainable fuels. "This is a clear signal than other technologies than battery electric vehicles (BEV) can be put on the market after 2035," said Tzitzikostas. Expanded carbon-neutral criteria would allow sustainable biofuels to help meet the targets that currently require 0g/km from 2035. EU renewable ethanol group ePure said emissions from ethanol were 79pc lower than fossil fuels in 2024, in line with previous years. The European Biodiesel Board reported savings of 77-81pc for biodiesel, using the official fossil fuel comparator of 94g of CO2e/MJ. German MEP Peter Liese criticised the original ICE ban, but said industry problems stem from market shifts, not from Brussels. "The industry must stop shifting the blame for its own mistakes and for market developments, for example in China, onto Brussels," he said, adding that he will push for green steel recognition before 2035. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU eases ICE phase-out with new 2035 CO2 car target

25/12/16

EU eases ICE phase-out with new 2035 CO2 car target

Brussels, 16 December (Argus) — The European Commission has proposed a new 90pc cut in car fleet emissions by 2035, replacing the previously agreed 100pc target that would have effectively phased out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The plan would allow some ICE vehicles to remain in use beyond 2035, alongside plug-in hybrids, range extenders and mild hybrids, as well as electric and hydrogen cars. The remaining 10pc of emissions would need to be offset through low-carbon steel, e-fuels or biofuels, according to the commission. The proposals need to be adopted by a majority in the European Parliament and among EU states. Automakers could also "bank and borrow" credits between 2030-32 to help meet the existing 2030 target of a 55pc cut from 2021 levels. Under the new proposals, manufacturers using these flexibilities would only need to achieve a 40pc fleet-average reduction, down from a previously planned 50pc. Expanded carbon-neutral criteria would allow sustainable biofuels to help meet the targets that currently require 0g/km from 2035. EU renewable ethanol group ePure said emissions from ethanol were 79pc lower than fossil fuels in 2024, in line with previous years. The European Biodiesel Board reported savings of 77-81pc for biodiesel, using the official fossil fuel comparator of 94g of CO2e/MJ. German MEP Peter Liese criticised the original ICE ban, but said industry problems stem from market shifts, not from Brussels. "The industry must stop shifting the blame for its own mistakes and for market developments, for example in China, onto Brussels," he said, adding that he will push for green steel recognition before 2035. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: European HVO prices unlikely to ease in 2026

25/12/16

Viewpoint: European HVO prices unlikely to ease in 2026

London, 16 December (Argus) — Northwest European hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) premiums have firmed on the year in 2025, setting the stage for continued strength as the market braces for higher blending targets in 2026. Premiums strengthen ahead of 2026 targets The Argus HVO Class II fob ARA premium to gasoil averaged $1,075/m³ during January-November, compared with $683/m³ in 2024. The premium firmed to $1,650/m³ on 21 October — a more than three-year high — driven by stronger demand from obligated parties rushing to meet RED targets before the end of the year. Increased consumption against relatively stable production has tightened supplies, and planned maintenance closures at European and Chinese facilities during the fourth quarter may continue to support values into early 2026. Germany's planned legislative changes in 2026 abolishing double-counting of Annex IX feedstocks could significantly boost HVO demand, as higher absolute volumes of biofuel will be needed to meet GHG reduction quotas, which then supports demand for drop-in fuels like HVO. The Netherlands is also planning an end to double counting and a switch to a greenhouse gas savings-based mandate, which could amplify demand in 2026. Trading activity reflects the bullish demand outlook — 888,000t of Class II futures traded on Ice in October, surpassing the previous record of 717,500t in June. Open interest now extends to December 2026, signalling confidence in sustained liquidity. Spot market activity has also picked up in 2025, with Argus Open Markets (AOM) volumes traded for HVO Class II reaching 122,000t in January to November 2025, surpassing the 2024 total of 44,000t. Producers tilt towards HVO over SAF EU sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) targets kicked in at 2pc this year and with this, producers are recalibrating output strategies. Definitive EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese biodiesel and HVO were imposed in February , and EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures already apply to HVO and biodiesel originating from the US and Canada. The China duties do not apply to SAF, but US duties do. HVO and SAF are made from oils and fats via hydrotreatment, but HVO requires fewer processing steps, usually making it the cheaper grade. But HVO Class II has often maintained a premium over SAF throughout 2025 because of different market fundamentals. This encouraged European producers to maximise HVO output over SAF. But tight SAF supply towards year-end — driven by export restrictions from China — pushed SAF premiums above Class II, with the SAF premium over HVO averaging $292/t in November. In October, some additional Chinese producers secured SAF export licences, and with the SAF mandate remaining at 2pc in 2026, European producers are expected to favour HVO production while SAF imports from duty-free China and Singapore fill the gap. The UK Trade Remedies Authority said in late November that it plans to recommend that the government places countervailing duties on US-origin HVO from March. Imports of US HVO into the UK have already declined this year because of the ongoing investigation, and participants expect volumes to fall further. To meet mandates, the UK is expected to lean more heavily on used cooking oil-based biodiesel, while some blenders may also look to secure supply from Nordic producers. By-products soften The Argus bionaphtha fob ARA price averaged $1,541/t in January-November, compared with $1,675/t across 2024. Despite the decline, premiums have recently been supported by stronger HVO and SAF prices, with used cooking oil-based bionaphtha a viable drop-in blending alternative to meet mandates. Looking ahead, participants expect that firm HVO prices will sustain higher bionaphtha premiums in 2026, while voluntary demand, particularly from petrochemical manufacturing, could provide additional support to the market. The biopropane premium to its propane counterpart at the ARA hub fell during 2025, with third quarter levels hitting record lows since Argus began the assessment in October 2023. Argus biopropane fca ARA outright averaged around $1,408/t in January–November, down from $1,597/t in 2024. Although HVO and SAF output have boosted biopropane supply, demand remains constrained without mandated use. Looking ahead, premiums are expected to stay capped unless government incentives accelerate adoption . By Evelina Lungu Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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