UFOP has made an updated version of the attached brochure with publications on biofuels available for download. The updated program of the Biofuels Conference starting next week is attached. You can download an IPCC report here: https://www.ipcc.ch/site/
According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), estimated dividend payments and share buybacks from BP, Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Total Energies will be $104 billion in 2023. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the entire oil and gas industry generated over $4 trillion in 2022, a record high. ExxonMobil posted record profits of $56 billion in 2022.
BP also made headlines in early 2023 after a year of record profits when it announced plans to expand oil and gas production by 2030 rather than work toward climate targets to reduce production. Shell announced in November that it would offer at least $23 billion in distributions, a sum more than six times the amount the company has earmarked for renewable energy in 2023. Oil companies’ massive profits have been fueled by the Russia-Ukraine war and high energy costs, which have negatively impacted customers.
“The global energy crisis has been a huge win for fossil fuel companies. And instead of investing their record profits in clean energy, these companies are focusing on oil, gas and shareholder payouts,” reports The Guardian.
To the latest news from around the world
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that USDA is awarding $19 million in grants to U.S. business owners to increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 22 states and provide Americans with cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas stations under the President’s commitment offer. Blending ethanol into gasoline has helped reduce fuel costs by about 25 percent, which has contributed to falling gasoline prices across the country. Gasoline prices are now below $2.99 in more than half of U.S. states, saving the average driver more than $100 per month compared to peak prices. https://www.usda.gov/media/
A study published in the journal Environmental Research found that green ammonia could be used to meet the fuel needs of over 60% of global shipping by targeting only the top ten regional fuel ports. Researchers at the University of Oxford examined the production costs of ammonia, which are similar to those of very low sulfur fuels, and concluded that the fuel could be a viable option to help decarbonize international shipping by 2050. More under https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/
A group of researchers in the United Kingdom have developed a new manufacturing process that could make producing biofuel from used cooking oil faster and more efficient. Professor Katherine Huddersman, Dr. Rawaz Ahmed, Saana Rashid and Ketan Ruperalia, in a team of experts from the DMU Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, have developed a new catalyst based on a fiber network that drives the reaction that separates vegetable oil and animal fats into biofuel and glycerin. More under: https://www.
Energy Information Administration data shows U.S. ethanol stocks rose to 3.875 billion liters last week. Rising production, which averaged 168.8 million liters per day, soared beyond demand and led to a rise in inventories. Ethanol exports also rose sharply, almost doubling compared to the previous week at 25 million liters per day. https://www.qcintel.com/
The Brazilian Association of Grain Ethanol Producers UNEM announced that the newest ethanol plant was commissioned on January 1 in the municipality of Maracaju. The new unit has the capacity to supply the market with 266 million liters of ethanol, 161,000 tons of DDGS and 10,000 tons of corn oil. Currently, corn and grain ethanol already accounts for more than 20% of national biofuel production and is establishing itself as an indispensable source in Brazil’s energy transition process. For the National Corn Ethanol Union (Unem), an organization that represents more than 90% of the country’s installed capacity, with each commissioning of new units, Brazil consolidates its vocation to produce bioenergy from renewable and low-energy matrices. Greenhouse gas emissions. https://ukragroconsult.com/en/
Vancouver-based TransLink is introducing renewable diesel as a cleaner fuel option to its bus fleet to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With this change, TransLink will reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 6,550 metric tons, or 5% of TransLink’s total emissions – the equivalent of taking 1,900 passenger vehicles off the road. https://biofuels-news.com/
Stena RoRo has placed an order for yet another RoPax-class E-Flexer vessel from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). The vessel will be delivered in the first quarter of 2026 to Corsica Linea and will operate between Marseille and Corsica. This is Stena RoRo’s thirteenth vessel in the E-Flexer series and the first to be delivered to the Mediterranean region. https://en.portnews.ru/news/
Indonesia’s state-owned PalmCo has announced an investment in a 443,000-ton-per-year biodiesel plant while delaying the launch of its IPO. With the technology selected and a contractor decision imminent, it is expected that the biodiesel plant will be operational in 2026. The planned IPO last summer was expected to raise around $500 million. https://uk.marketscreener.com/
According to a survey by the Brazilian National Corn Ethanol Union (Unem), Brazil has reached the mark of 22 farms producing grain ethanol. This figure was reached this week with the commissioning of a Neomille plant in Maracaju, controlled by local company Cerradinho Bioenergia. Currently, corn and grain ethanol already accounts for more than 20% of national biofuel production. According to the report, out of the total number of plants, ten are dedicated exclusively to the production of ethanol. https://www.chemanalyst.com/
Scientific Design (SD) and Linde Engineering signed a letter of intent on December 13th to explore collaboration opportunities to decarbonize the SD ethylene glycol process. The aim of this collaboration is to develop innovative solutions to reduce carbon footprint and achieve low carbon emissions technology by offering SABIC’s innovative CO2 recovery and purification technology to SD-licensed glycol production facilities worldwide. The ultimate goal is to establish sustainable production of ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol and set industry benchmarks for carbon-neutral industries. https://www.sabic.com/en/news/
The sugar cane mill in Goall, which has been shut down in India, will be put back into operation next year to produce urgently needed ethanol. Companies interested in restarting the Sanjivani sugar factory are being sought through a qualification process. Sugarcane farmers have received more than $3.6 million in subsidies since the mill closed four years ago. https://www.business-standard.
Japan’s Sumitomo Group plans to increase its commitment to renewable energy by entering biodiesel production with a focus on wood waste and sugarcane residues. Together with the University of Tokyo and Solariant Capital, the company is investing in a demonstration plant on the southern island of Tanegashima, which is expected to come online by 2025. If successful, the company is targeting commercial production by 2027, with the goal of producing 1 million tonnes annually at some point. https://www.steelguru.com/
India’s state-owned fuel retailer has increased the purchase price of ethanol made from corn by $0.8635 per liter to encourage its production for blending with gasoline. According to the report, India is promoting the use of corn as an alternative to sugar to boost ethanol production and ensure adequate market supply of the sweetener. https://www.
A year ago, the airport in Brussels announced the first delivery of sustainable aviation fuel via the NATO pipeline. However, SAF’s high price remains a barrier and slows its use by airlines. In order to accelerate the sustainable development of the aviation sector and promote the use of sustainable fuels, the Brussels Airport Company will provide a special financial contribution to promote its use, thanks to the support of the Federal Government. This SAF incentive is available to all airlines for all flights departing from Brussels Airport in 2024. https://www.brusselsairport.