Hamburg | Reuters — Germany’s government is considering proposals to phase out the use of biofuels produced from food or animal feed crops by 2030, the German biofuels industry association (VDB) said on Tuesday, adding the measure could increase carbon emissions. German environment minister Steffi Lemke said Jan. 17 she will soon send proposals to […] Read more

Germany considering withdrawal from crop-based biofuels by 2030
Lawmakers seek to boost biofuel made from wastes

Renewable diesel demand expected to soar in next two years
Canola production poised to jump as new facilities come on stream in next two years
Reading Time: 4 minutes Renewable diesel production is poised to take off in the next five years and the coming boom is great news for canola growers, says the Canadian Oilseeds Processors Association. “For canola crush, in terms of possible capacity growth in the years to come, we could see almost six million tonnes of increased capacity based on […] Read more

U.S. EPA proposes revamp of biofuel program to include EVs
Mandated biofuel levels to rise through 2025
New York | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday unveiled a three-year proposal to expand the U.S. biofuels policy with bigger volume mandates and — for the first time — to include a pathway for electric vehicle manufacturers to generate lucrative credits. Biden wants to fight climate change by reducing fossil fuel […] Read more

Surge in U.S. renewable diesel supply won’t offset loss of petroleum diesel
Reuters — A flood of U.S. renewable diesel plants set to come online in the next three years will not be enough to offset the loss of petroleum diesel refining capacity from plant closings since 2019, a Reuters analysis of federal data shows. U.S. refining capacity has declined in the last two years, as plants […] Read more

The ball is just getting started for Canada’s Cinderella crop
Renewable diesel expected to permanently push up demand — and keep prices strong
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canola acres are down substantially this year but that’s not because growers’ fondness for their Cinderella crop has diminished. In fact, most are pretty excited about what lies ahead, said Alberta Canola vice-chair Ian Chitwood. “I think people are quite optimistic by how the market is looking and how things are looking for canola,” said […] Read more

CGB, soy grower co-op to build North Dakota crushing plant
Reuters — U.S. grain handler CGB Enterprises and farmer co-operative Minnesota Soybean Processors are building a soy processing plant in North Dakota, the second new crushing facility announced in the state this year. The plant — which will be built near Casselton, about 25 km west of Fargo — is expected to crush 42.5 million […] Read more

U.S. EPA proposes biofuel mandate cuts
Proposal seen as boost to pandemic-hit refiners
New York | Reuters — The Biden administration proposed on Tuesday a reduction in the amount of biofuels that U.S. oil refiners were required to blend into their fuel mix since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-awaited decision offers some relief to the U.S. refining industry after the health crisis slammed domestic demand […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans up on firm cash markets, vegoils
Corn, wheat futures sputter
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures ended higher on Tuesday for a fourth straight session, with the benchmark November contract touching a one-week top on firm cash markets and global demand for vegetable oils, analysts said. But Chicago Board of Trade corn and wheat futures closed lower, sagging after a choppy session. CBOT November […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola feeling the energy
Canola riding on fuels' bullish momentum
MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts moved steadily higher over the week ended Wednesday, hitting the top-end of a three month trading range. While tight Canadian supplies due to a Prairie drought have underpinned the market for some time, the latest strength and any future direction may be more closely tied to movement in energy […] Read more

U.S. EPA recommends lowering 2020 biofuel mandates retroactively
Agency not confirming or denying sources' statements
Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended retroactively lowering biofuel blending mandates for 2020, two sources familiar with the matter said, after the agency on Thursday sent a proposal on the mandates to the White House for review. The move could provide immediate relief to oil refiners that have to comply with the […] Read more