Lootah Biofuels to collect UCO from UAE households

: Biofuels, Oil products
25/01/28

Dubai-based biofuels producer Lootah Biofuels will launch a smart app in coming months to facilitate the collection of used cooking oil (UCO) from households and businesses in the UAE.

Lootah plans to increase and simplify the collection of UCO, which currently stands at 300,000 litres/month.

The company wants to encourage "individuals and families to actively participate in collecting and safely disposing used cooking oil at designated collection points."

Lootah Biofuels aims for the recycling of UCO to reach 80pc in the coming years, up from less than 50pc currently — largely sourced from restaurants and the hospitality sector.

Lootah Biofuels' plant is the largest in the Middle East, producing 53,000 t/yr of biodiesel, which it supplies to the local transportation and aviation market and exports to the Netherlands, the UK, Germany and India.

Lootah Biofuels signed an agreement with Malaysian biofuel feedstock supplier FatHopes Energy in 2023 to collaborate on supplying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Dubai's aviation sector and establishing a Malaysian used cooking oil (UCO) aggregation hub.

Bunker hopes

Bunker market participants in Fujairah, UAE, the world's third largest marine fuels centre, hope the potential production increase will boost availability of B24 — which consists of 24pc used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome) and 76pc very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The Fujairah bunker market has been facing competition with other industry sectors over limited supplies.

Bunkering B24 has been slow in Fujairah, with sporadic demand emerging.

"There is just one customer who periodically asks for B24, which is not always available," a Fujairah trader said.

Still, bunker sellers expect regional demand for B24 to rise later this year as shipowners prepare to meet more stringent mandates set by the EU and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

FuelEU Maritime aims to raise the share of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the fuel mix of maritime transport within the EU, and will set requirements for greenhouse gas emission reductions against a 2020 baseline level, starting with 2pc in 2025.

The EU is an important market and a regular destination for much of the maritime traffic passing through Fujairah, so the new regulations are likely to be a trigger for change, market participants said. "Many vessels refuel in Fujairah before calling at EU ports," one trader says. "They already have to comply with the EU ETS, [Carbon Intensity Index], and will need to also comply with FuelEU."

By Elshan Aliyev

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25/03/13

Açúcar: Mudança tributária abre espaço diplomático

Sao Paulo, 13 March (Argus) — A isenção das importações de açúcar no Brasil é avaliada como uma tentativa de demonstrar aos Estados Unidos disposição em realizar acordos comerciais com o país, após o governo norte-americano sinalizar a possibilidade de aumentar as tarifas sobre alguns produtos brasileiros . Ao retirar as tarifas sobre o açúcar, o Brasil abre espaço para negociar a possibilidade de manutenção das tarifas de etanol, de acordo com Renato Cunha, presidente da Associação dos Produtores de Açúcar, Etanol e Bioenergia das regiões Norte e Nordeste (NovaBio). Etanol e açúcar são mercados correlatos no Brasil e as negociações dos dois costumam estar interligadas. Ambos são derivados da cana-de-açúcar e a produção de um produto ocorre em detrimento do outro. O governo brasileiro anunciou em 6 de março a eliminação dos impostos para importações de itens considerados essenciais, como o açúcar, milho, azeite, café e óleo de soja, com o intuito de reduzir os preços dos alimentos, em meio à aceleração da inflação. No caso do açúcar, o efeito sobre a inflação tende a ser limitado. O Brasil – maior produtor e exportador mundial de açúcar – é autossuficiente na produção do adoçante e as importações representam volumes mínimos no mercado. O Brasil exportou cerca de 33,5 milhões de t em 2024, alta de 23,8pc em comparação com 2023, a partir de uma produção de 42,4 milhões de t na safra 2023-24, de acordo com a Unica. Vantagens competitivas do açúcar brasileiro Mesmo que a isenção de tarifas para importar açúcar – que antes eram de até 14pc – facilite a abertura de novos mercados e crie eventuais oportunidades para os consumidores brasileiros, o produto nacional ainda é mais barato, pelos custos de produção mais baixos em relação a outros países. Os custos para produzir açúcar no Brasil são de aproximadamente 15¢/lb (equivalente a R$1,92/kg), enquanto na Tailândia – segundo maior exportador de açúcar – eles estão próximos de 21,5¢/lb, segundo participantes de mercado. Na Índia e Austrália, terceiro e quarto maiores exportadores, os custos são de aproximadamente 22,4¢/lb e 18,3¢/lb, respectivamente. Para que haja uma redução efetiva dos preços do açúcar, é necessária uma revisão nos custos de toda a cadeia produtiva até as gôndolas do mercado, disse José Guilherme Nogueira, presidente da Organização de Associações de Produtores de Cana do Brasil (Orplana). Para Nogueira, é importante se atentar a fatores além da produção, como custos de frete e seguro, áreas passíveis de atuação do governo. Como a produção é suficiente para o consumo nacional e há um grande volume excedente, o açúcar brasileiro acaba sendo majoritariamente exportado, sem o mercado externo representar efetivamente uma concorrência para o consumidor brasileiro. O preço do açúcar cristal branco registrou uma média de R$155,3/ saca de 50kg em janeiro - ou $24,9/sc na paridade de exportação, com a cotação média do dólar norte-americano a R$6,02 – segundo o indicador do Centro de Estudos Avançados em Economia Aplicada (CEPEA/Esalq). Em janeiro de 2024, os preços no mercado nacional estavam R$145,04/sc, em média, e $29,5/sc, considerando uma taxa cambial média de R$4,91. Isso mostra que mesmo com o dólar mais alto neste ano, o mercado doméstico de açúcar segue remunerando mais que o mercado externo, em comparação com o mesmo período no ano passado. Por Maria Albuquerque Envie comentários e solicite mais informações em feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . Todos os direitos reservados.

Nigeria's port authority raises import tariffs

25/03/13

Nigeria's port authority raises import tariffs

London, 13 March (Argus) — The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has raised tariffs by 15pc on imports "across board", taking effect on 3 March, according to a document shown to Argus . The move comes as the independently-owned 650,000 b/d Dangote refinery continues to capture domestic market share through aggressive price cuts, pushing imported gasoline below market value in the country. Sources said that Dangote cut ex-rack gasoline prices to 805 naira/litre (52¢/l) today, from between 818-833N/l. The rise in NPA tariffs may add on additional cost pressures onto trading houses shipping gasoline to Nigeria, potentially affecting price competitiveness against Dangote products further. The move would increase product and crude cargo import costs, according to market participants. But one shipping source said the impact would be marginal as current costs are "slim", while one west African crude trader noted that the tariffs would amount to a few cents per barrel and represent a minor rise in freight costs. Port dues in Nigeria are currently around 20¢/bl, the trader added. One shipping source expects oil products imports to continue to flow in, because demand is still there. Nigeria's NNPC previously said the country's gasoline demand is on average around 37,800 t/d. Over half of supplies come from imports, the country's downstream regulator NMDPRA said. According to another shipping source, Dangote supplied around 526,000t of gasoline in the country, making up over half of product supplied. The refinery also supplied 113,000t of gasoil — a third of total total volumes in the country — and half of Nigeria's jet at 28,000t. By George Maher-Bonnett and Sanjana Shivdas Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US lube industry wary of tariffs uncertainty

25/03/13

US lube industry wary of tariffs uncertainty

London, 13 March (Argus) — The uncertainty around US tariffs could weigh on demand for finished lubricant and base oil, trade body ILMA told Argus . US President Donald Trump has decreed a 25pc tariff on steel and aluminium imports from Canada, a key import source for these materials used in auto manufacturing. The US sources about 70pc of its aluminium imports and around 23pc of its steel imports from its northern neighbour. ILMA chief executive Holly Alfano said the White House recognises that the uncertainty surrounding tariffs "creates a challenging business environment". "A slowdown in auto sales and production due to tariffs could lead to reduced demand for these products," Alfano told Argus. "Manufacturers may postpone investments or expansion plans due to unpredictable costs and market conditions," she said. "If vehicle prices rise due to increased production costs, consumer demand may decline, leading to further reductions in automotive output and associated lubricant consumption." Automotive vehicle production forecasts have fallen to 15.5mn in 2025 since the tariff announcement, down by 250,000 vehicles from the prior estimate by AutoForecast Solutions. This would put output broadly in line with 2024 , stifling growth in finished lubricant demand. US government data show car sales fell by 5pc in 2024, and finished lubricant sales dropped 6pc over the same period. Although lubricant sales are not entirely correlated with new car sales, Alfano noted the auto sector is "a significant consumer of finished lubricants". As it stands the tariffs on steel and aluminium will not now be implemented until 2 April. The White House has said this is to "allow for the flow of parts and sub assembly products into America, to allow American car manufacturers to continue building cars." The US administration is scheduled to host Canadian and Ontario officials today to discuss a possible easing in tariffs. If these talks yield no progress, and if a month is insufficient for supply chains to be reorganised, the tariffs could stunt automotive manufacturing and in turn lubricants needed for these new vehicles. Ontario premier Doug Ford has cautioned the 25pc tariffs could halt the auto manufacturing industry in as little as 10 days. While the US is self-sufficient in terms of its Group II base oils, it is a net importer of Group III, with only 4pc nameplate capacity, and both are key to automotive lubricant production. The US is an importer of Canadian Group III base oils from Petro-Canada's 4,000 b/d plant in Mississauga, Ontario. By Gabriella Twining Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Экспортная пошлина на нефть в Казахстане в марте выросла

25/03/13

Экспортная пошлина на нефть в Казахстане в марте выросла

Riga, 13 March (Argus) — Ставка экспортной пошлины на нефть в Казахстане в марте увеличилась до $78/т с $77/т — в феврале. Среднее значение котировок сорта Kebco (cif Аугуста) и Североморского датированного в период мониторинга цен с 20 декабря по 20 февраля составило $78/барр. по сравнению с $77/барр. — в период предыдущего мониторинга, по данным министерства финансов Казахстана. С сентября 2023 г. ежемесячная ставка пошлины на экспорт нефти и нефтепродуктов в Казахстане меняется при изменении средней мировой цены на $1/барр. вместо прежних $5/барр. в пределах диапазона $25—105/барр. При средней рыночной цене нефти $25—105/барр. размер ставки вывозной таможенной пошлины рассчитывается по следующей формуле: ВТП=Ср*К, где ВТП — размер ставки вывозной таможенной пошлины на нефть и нефтепродукты в долларах США за тонну; Ср — средняя рыночная цена нефти за предшествующий период; К — поправочный коэффициент 1. При значении средней рыночной цены на нефть до $25/барр. размер ставки вывозной таможенной пошлины равен нулю. При цене свыше $105/барр. применяются ставки вывозной пошлины в диапазоне от $115/т до $236/т. Средняя рыночная цена определяется министерством финансов Казахстана ежемесячно на основании мониторинга котировок Kebco и Североморского датированного в течение двух предыдущих месяцев. Полученный результат мониторинга в соответствии с поправками математически округляется до целого числа. ________________ Больше ценовой информации и аналитических материалов о рынках нефти и нефтепродуктов стран Каспийского региона и Центральной Азии — в еженедельном отчете Argus Рынок Каспия . Вы можете присылать комментарии по адресу или запросить дополнительную информацию feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Группа Argus Media . Все права защищены.

Northwest European renewable fuel ticket prices rise

25/03/12

Northwest European renewable fuel ticket prices rise

London, 12 March (Argus) — The price of renewable fuel tickets in the UK and the Netherlands has firmed in recent trading sessions, but tickets remain a more competitive option to comply with domestic renewable fuel mandates than physical biofuels blending. Tickets are tradeable credits primarily generated by the sale of biofuel-blended fuels and are used to help obligated parties meet mandates for the use of renewable energy in transport. In the Netherlands, "other" and advanced renewable fuel units (HBE-Os and HBE-Gs) hit a more than three-week high of €11.10/GJ on 6 March, while in the UK, non-crop renewable transport fuel certificates (RTFCs) reached 26.25 pence/RTFC on 5 March, the highest level since 29 January. Despite the increase, RTFCs are at a discount to the like-for-like blend value of used cooking oil methyl esther (Ucome) biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) Class II ( see graph ). And in the Netherlands, HBE-Gs remain well below the like-for-like blend value of palm oil mill effluent (Pome) oil-based HVO (Class IV). This typically discourages obligated parties to physically blend biofuels. Biodiesel and HVO prices increased on higher feedstock costs, market participants said. The premiums of HVO Class II and IV against the HVO-escalated 7-28 day Ice gasoil price reached $800/m³ and $785/m³, respectively, on 7 March, the highest since 12 February. Meanwhile, the Argus Ucome biodiesel fob ARA price rose to $1,453.24/t on 4 March, its highest since 3 December. And last week, the Argus UCO fob ARA assessment hit its highest level since October 2022, driven by low supply in the ARA region and a stronger euro against the US dollar. A closed arbitrage with China, Europe's biggest importer of UCO, is putting further pressure on supply in the region, market participants said. UCO trade flows shifted away from Europe last year as significant amounts of Chinese product moved to the US at the expense of flows elsewhere. But there may be some relief for European buyers in 2025 as US buyers wait for clarity on the Inflation Reduction Act's carbon intensity-based 45Z credit. President Donald Trump's doubling of pre-existing tariffs on Chinese imports to the US to 20pc is yet to have an impact on the European market, although participants said it could put a ceiling on further price gains. SAF blending pressures HBE-IXBs HBE-IXB tickets — generated by blending biofuels made from feedstocks listed in Annex IX part B of the EU's Renewable Energy Directive — have been moving in the opposite direction. The Argus Netherlands HBE-IXB price softened to its lowest since October last year on 13 February, at €9.50/GJ (see graph) . It has since risen slightly, reaching €9.75/GJ on 11 March. The tickets are under pressure from stronger supply as some are being offered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blenders, market participants said. Biofuels in aviation benefit from a 1.2x multiplier, in addition to the double counting rule for waste feedstocks. An EU-wide SAF mandate — ReFuelEU — came into effect on 1 January, replacing national obligations. Under the mandate, fuel suppliers will need to include 2pc SAF in their jet fuel deliveries in 2025, rising to 6pc in 2030. UCO-based hydrotreated esters and fatty acids synthesised paraffinic kerosine (HEFA-SPK) is the most common type of SAF available today. In the Netherlands, blending HEFA-SPK SAF into jet fuel can generate HBE-IXBs. But the Dutch ministry of infrastructure is consulting on its second draft to transpose the recast RED III . If the current draft is implemented, the Netherlands will introduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction mandates from 2026 for land, inland shipping and maritime shipping. The first draft also included an aviation subcategory, but it was removed in February . GHG-quota by blending less lucrative in Germany The increase in biodiesel and HVO prices in the ARA region has not had an impact on German GHG certificates. Buying GHG certificates remains more cost effective than physical blending for fuel suppliers. But market participants anticipate prices rising from the end of March, which could reverse this trend. Overall blending in Germany is expected to increase this year to generate new GHG tickets, after carry-over was frozen, forcing producers to build their GHG balance from scratch in order to fulfil their 2025 quotas. Many market participants remain focused on their 2024 balance for now, and demand for advanced biofuels and HVO in Germany has been slow so far this year. By Evelina Lungu Ucome and HVO Class II versus RTFCs p/litre Advanced FAME 0 versus German €/t CO2e Ucome and HVO Class II versus HBE-IXB €/GJ HVO Class IV versus HBE-G €/GJ Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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