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BNDES aprova financiamento para etanol de grãos da Be8

  • : Agriculture, Biofuels
  • 24/03/28

O Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) aprovou um investimento de R$729,7 milhões para a produtora de biodiesel Be8 construir uma usina de etanol de grãos no Rio Grande do Sul, com capacidade de processar 209.000 m³/ano do biocombustível.

O Programa BNDES Mais Inovação fornecerá R$500 milhões deste total, como parte de esforços do governo federal em prol da transição energética.

A Be8 instalará a planta à base de grãos em Passo Fundo (RS), onde também opera uma unidade de biodiesel. A região do Sul possui um clima mais temperado do que o restante do Brasil, dificultando o cultivo de cana-de-açúcar, a matéria-prima mais utilizada para produzir etanol no país.

A construção está programada para começar ainda neste ano e as operações devem ter início em 2026, de acordo com a empresa.

A usina, que poderá produzir hidratado e anidro, terá capacidade suficiente para atender 20pc da demanda do estado pelo biocombustível, informou a companhia. Hoje, o Rio Grande do Sul importa quase todo seu consumo de etanol de outros estados.

Trigo, triticale, milho e outros cereais poderão ser utilizados como matérias-primas para o produto.

A planta processará 525.000t por ano de grãos para produzir etanol e grãos secos de destilaria (DDG, na sigla em inglês).

Recentemente, a Be8 e a Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) firmaram um acordo de cooperação técnica para fabricar o biocombustível a partir de triticale.

A unidade é um dos vários projetos de etanol à base de amido e não de cana-de-açúcar planejados para os estados do Sul nos próximos anos.


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25/01/31

Trump tariffs create risks for US ag exports

Trump tariffs create risks for US ag exports

St Louis, 31 January (Argus) — New US tariffs on Chinese and Mexican imports could lead to disruptions in US corn and soybean sales to those countries, creating substantial risks for US agriculture markets. China and Mexico are the two largest purchasers of US produced corn and soybeans, collectively accounting for 48pc of US corn exports and 61pc of US soybean exports since 2019, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. With US president Donald Trump's plans of a 25pc tariff placed on US imports from Mexico, and a 10pc tariff place on imports from China to be enacted on 1 February, the future of those trade flows could by threatened by retaliatory tariffs. In 2018, during Trump's first term, similar tariffs placed on China resulted in counter-tariffs on US agricultural exports and a substantial reduction in trade. Over 2018, US exports of corn and soybeans to China dropped by 74pc from the prior year, according to USDA data. For the recently harvested 2024 US corn and soybean crops, some of this risk has been mitigated by higher-than-normal exports ahead of Trump's presidency. US exports of corn reached 20.9mn t through 23 January of the 2024-25 marketing year, 29pc ahead of last year's export pace. Similarly, US soybean exports reached 33mn t through 23 January, 21pc ahead of year ago levels. But there is still a substantial amount of the two crops that has yet to be shipped. As of 23 January, 2.4mn t of US soybeans purchased by China had yet to be exported to the country. Mexican buyers had 1.3mn t of US soybeans and an additional 7.9mn t of US corn yet to be exported. These purchases could be canceled as a result of tariffs, placing this supply back into the US market. The risks also extend to the volumes of the two crops yet to be sold for export. According to USDA projections, the US will export 62.2mn t of corn and 49.7mn t of soybeans over the 2024-25 marketing year. To reach these levels, the US will need to export an additional 22.4mn t of corn and 9.7mn t of soybeans. Historically, China and Mexico would be viewed as the primary purchasers of the volumes. By Ryan Koory Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Study calls for e-fuels bunker subsidies, GHG tax


25/01/30
25/01/30

Study calls for e-fuels bunker subsidies, GHG tax

New York, 30 January (Argus) — E-fuel subsidies and a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions tax is needed for e-fuels to compete as a bunkering fuel before 2044, said a study by maritime consultancy University Maritime Advisory Services (Umas) and the UCL Energy Institute. The study found that adding a multiplier of the GHG intensity credit given to e-fuels could help to make e-fuel use financially competitive, but it would have to be set at high levels at the start. Using a multiplier of two, where one ship running on zero emissions e-fuel could generate credits to offset three other similar ships operating on conventional fossil fuels, was not able to make e-fuels more competitive before 2041. The multiplier would have to be set initially at 15 in 2030, falling to 10 by 2035, to enable the competitiveness of e-fuels, concludes the study. Additionally, levying a GHG tax or fee of $150-$300/t of CO2-equivalent would also make e-fuels more competitive. A tax of $30-$120/t CO2e is close to the aggregate level of subsidies, and would not create a sustained promotion of e-fuels. Under the current marine fuel standards, a combination of fossil fuels, including LNG, biofuels and carbon capture and storage systems would be most competitive up until 2036. After, blue ammonia dual fuel ships would be the lowest-cost solution until 2044. Ships that were more competitive from 2027-2035 would have at least 25pc higher operating cost from 2040 onwards. Thus, if ship owners order newbuild vessels to maximize short-term competitiveness, the sector is at a "major risk of technology lock-in" and will not be as cost-effective for reaching net zero by 2050. The study models a 2027-build, 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit container ship. The vessel sails between Asia and Latin America using different marine fuels such as bio-methanol, e-methanol, LNG, bio-LNG, e-LNG, bio-marine gasoil (MGO), e-MGO and very low-sulphur fuel oil. By Stefka Wechsler Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Marine biodiesel sales drop in Rotterdam port 4Q 2024


25/01/30
25/01/30

Marine biodiesel sales drop in Rotterdam port 4Q 2024

London, 30 January (Argus) — Marine biodiesel demand fell in the final quarter of last year in the port of Rotterdam, while LNG sales picked up ahead of the introduction of FuelEU Maritime regulations at the turn of the new year. Sales of marine biodiesel blends in Rotterdam fell by 13.8pc on the quarter and just under 50pc on the year in October-December. This contrasts with an increase of about 62pc on the quarter for marine biodiesel blend sales in Singapore, pointing to a continued trend of voluntary demand shifting east of Suez. Participants reported this trend throughout last year, with more competitive prices for the blends in Singapore. Argus assessed B24 dob Singapore, a blend comprising very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome), at an average discount of $10.58/t against B30 Advanced Fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) 0 dob ARA in the final quarter of 2024. B24 dob Singapore was marked at an average discount of $119.34/t against B30 Ucome dob ARA. Consequently, shipowners seeking to deliver proof of sustainability documentation to their customers, to offset the latter's scope 3 emissions, shifted their marine biodiesel demand to Singapore when feasible. FuelEU Maritime regulations, which came into effect in January and require a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vessels every year, will probably incentivise regulatory-driven demand for marine biodiesel blends. But the regional price dynamics between ARA and Singapore will probably remain relevant to regulatory-driven demand as well, as energy consumed from blends bunkered in Singapore can be mass balanced to be fully accounted for under the scope of FuelEU Maritime. The pooling mechanism within FuelEU Maritime would also allow for vessels operating on the east-west route to potentially utilise compliance generated from marine biodiesel blends bunkered in Singapore across other vessels that operate solely in Europe. LNG sales picked up by 19.5pc on the quarter and soared by 76.6pc on the year ahead of the introduction of FuelEU Maritime regulations at the start of 2025. Fossil LNG, depending on the type of engine used on board, can help shipowners with LNG-capable vessels meet their FuelEU compliance targets for 2025. The Gate LNG import terminal is planning to start operations at a second jetty for LNG bunker vessels in 2028, pointing to expectations of greater demand. Bio-LNG sales were reported for the first time in 2024 since small volumes in 2021, ahead of FuelEU Maritime regulations. Conventional bunker fuel sales comprising VLSFO, ultra-low sulphur fuel oil (ULSFO), marine gasoil (MGO), marine diesel oil (MDO), and high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) dipped by 4.7pc on the quarter but rose by 17.7pc on the year in October-December. VLSFO sales alone were marked higher than HSFO's for the first time at the port since the last three months of 2023. Total VLSFO volumes traded in the fourth quarter came to nearly 811,000t, down by 3pc from the previous quarter, while HSFO sales totalled 780,500t, down by 14pc. Market participants attribute this retail drop-off to considerable local HSFO supply-side constraints at the end of 2024. Thin volumes produced by CDUs at refineries in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) hub meant imported volumes were needed to cover shortfalls. Refineries cut throughput runs, reducing residual byproduct output. Biomethanol sales dropped by over half on the quarter, under pressure from thin trading activity, but were 86pc higher on the year in the final quarter of 2024. Shipping giant Maersk has signed several letters of intent for the procurement of biomethanol and e-methanol from producers such as Equinor , Proman and OCI Global . But the European Commission's proposal to exclude automatic certification of biomethane and biomethane-based fuels for the Union Database for Biofuels if relying on gas that has been transported through grids outside the EU, could slow some negotiations for 2025 imports of biomethanol of US origin into the EU. By Hussein Al-Khalisy, Bob Wigin and Evelina Lungu Rotterdam bunker sales t Fuel 4Q24 3Q24 4Q23 q-o-q% y-o-y% VLSFO & ULSFO 1,004,398 1,045,774 847,862 -4 18.5 HSFO 780,437 906,737 643,218 -13.9 21.3 MGO/MDO 395,903 334,752 361,585 18.3 9.5 Conventional total 2,180,738 2,287,263 1,852,665 -4.7 17.7 Biofuel blends 118,201 137,175 233,108 -13.8 -49.3 LNG (m³) 263,068 220,120 148,933 19.5 76.6 bio-LNG (m³) 575 0 0 na na biomethanol 930 2,066 500 -55 86 Port of Rotterdam Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

New Zealand sets 51-55pc emission cut by 2035 target


25/01/30
25/01/30

New Zealand sets 51-55pc emission cut by 2035 target

Edinburgh, 30 January (Argus) — New Zealand has submitted its new 2035 target today, aiming for 51-55pc cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) compared with 2005 gross levels. Countries party to the Paris agreement must submit new climate plans — nationally determined contribution (NDCs) for 2035 — to the UN climate body the UNFCCC by 10 February, as part of the so-called ratchet mechanism which requires them to review and revise plans every five years. The target includes all sectors of New Zealand's economy and all GHGs. The sectors covered comprise energy, industrial processes and product use, agriculture, land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) and waste. The country's second NDC target is expressed as a range "to respond to evolving national circumstances, notably the high proportion of biogenic methane from agriculture in New Zealand's emissions profile," the NDC said. The country's largest source of emissions is the agricultural sector, making up 53pc of total emissions in 2022, according to the environment ministry. With this target, the country's net emissions would reach between 39mn t and 42mn of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2035, according to the environment ministry. The target covers the 2031-2035 time period, but is set as a single-year goal. Single-year goals aim to cut emissions by a single target year, while multi-year goals aim to reduce emissions over a defined period. A multi-year goal is typically more effective when it comes to limiting cumulative emissions, according to the GHG protocol, a GHG cut framework established by the World Resources Institute. New Zealand committed to reduce GHG emissions by 50pc by 2030, from a 2005 baseline. It is also a single year — "point year" — target but is managed using a carbon budget across the NDC period. The country said today the lower range of its 2035 target aligns with its third emissions budget — maximum quantity of emissions allowed in a five-year period — for 2031-35, but the upper end of the range goes beyond "the budget to achieve greater emissions but still remains feasible". New Zealand's emissions budget for 2031-35 is 240mn t of CO2e, according to environment ministry data. New Zealand said the country will publish its third emissions reduction plan for the period 2031–35 in light of the new NDC in 2029, and it will "continue to assess, realign and introduce policies to reduce emissions". This plan would cover the third emission budget period. The country said it aims to achieve its new NDC target through domestic emissions reductions and removals, but may take part in "co-operation under Article 6 during the NDC period". Article 6 of the Paris accord includes two mechanisms aimed at helping countries meet their emissions reduction targets and NDCs through carbon trading . By Caroline Varin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Ukraine corn in uphill battle with US, S America supply


25/01/29
25/01/29

Ukraine corn in uphill battle with US, S America supply

Kyiv, 29 January (Argus) — Ukrainian corn is struggling to compete against rival supplies from the US, Argentina and Brazil, as Ukraine's producers continue to hold back volumes in anticipation of higher prices in October-September. Ukraine's share in the global corn market is likely to shrink, in part because its production and exports are forecast to drop in 2024-25. In contrast, the world's top three corn exporters — Argentina, Brazil and the US — are each projected to increase exports. Since December, Ukraine's corn export pace has slowed , both because of lower volumes available, and because Ukraine's corn prices have struggled to compete against prices in Argentina, Brazil and the US. Ukrainian exporters have at times struggled to take advantage of periods of rising prices among Ukraine's competitors. Ukrainian producers have typically reacted to any global price increases by raising their own price expectations, eroding sales. When global prices decline, Ukraine's corn producers also opt to hold back their volumes, anticipating a rebound in prices at a later date. This often has resulted in farmers expecting higher prices during the northern hemisphere's spring or summer, when they anticipate potential support from risks to production in Argentina or Brazil. That said, the global corn supply-demand balance in 2024-25 is forecast to be somewhat resilient to supply shortfalls. Global corn supply is forecast 7mn t above projections for global imports, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), leaving some room for uncertainty around production in South America. Ukraine exports to fall with output While global corn exports are forecast slightly lower on the year in 2024-25 at 191.4mn t, Argentina, Brazil and the US are projected to increase their combined corn exports to 145.2mn t in 2024-25, up from 131.7mn t a year earlier, according to the USDA. US 2024-25 corn exports are forecast to rise by 4mn t to 62.2mn t, Argentina's corn exports are projected to increase by 2mn t to 36mn t and Brazil's exports are forecast to rise by 7.5mn t to 47mn t. In contrast, Ukraine's exports are forecast to fall by 6.5mn t on the year to 23mn t as production falls by 6mn t to 26.5mn t, according to the USDA. Losing ground in China Both Brazil and the US could pose competition to Ukrainian corn for shipments to China this year. But China's overall demand is forecast sharply lower in 2024-25, leaving Ukraine to seek other outlets for its corn exports . The US has steadily increased its share of Spain's corn import market in 2024-25. Total commitments of US corn to Spain since the start of the exporter's marketing year in September reached 942,600t as of 16 January — already higher than the total 2023-24 exports of around 711,000t, according to USDA and customs data. Competing with Argentina The main destination where Ukrainian corn competes with Argentinian product is Egypt. While Argentina's 2024-25 crop has come under threat from unfavourable weather conditions, Egyptian buyers have also been booking corn from Brazil and the US. As a result, any further declines in Argentinian corn output, or less competitive prices, could still leave Egypt with multiple options to choose from. And Ukrainian corn producers could raise their price expectations more, even if Argentina's corn output falls so short of forecasts as to boost global corn prices for an extended period of time. Brazil crop coming in May Brazil's new-crop corn is set to hit the global market in May, and the origin traditionally ships volumes to many of Ukraine's corn export destinations, including Egypt, China, Spain and Portugal. Provided Brazil's 2024-25 corn output is close to forecasts, Ukrainian exports could struggle to compete against the ample volumes leaving Brazilian ports. By Alexey Yeromin Global corn trade, USDA mn t Top importers of Ukrainian corn (Oct 2017-Sep 2024) mn t Corn exports from top 4 exporters, USDA mn t Top importers of US corn (Oct 2017-Sep 2024) mn t Top importers of Brazilian corn (Oct 2017-Sep 2024) mn t Top importers of Argentinian corn (Oct 2017-Sep 2024) mn t Map of top importers of Brazilian corn (Oct 2017-Sep 2024) mn t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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