Dear Reader,
The European biofuels market is facing a crucial phase. The implementation of the RED III Directive is progressing rapidly in the Member States, increasing the requirements and changing the demand dynamics. Biofuels already cover 9% of the European road fuel market, and this share is forecast to rise to 17% by 2030.
The abolition of double counting in Germany will significantly increase demand for heavy fuel oil (HVO), while the requirements for secondary aviation fuels (SAF) are expected to quadruple the volume of air traffic by 2030. At the same time, structural bottlenecks in advanced raw materials are becoming apparent, as availability is likely to be limited from as early as 2028 in accordance with Annex IX Part A. This pressure is driving prices higher – HVO and SAF hit multi-month highs in October – and creating volatility that market participants must contend with.
We are in the middle of the complex energy transition: infrastructure for fossil fuels and renewable energies continues to be built in parallel and on a gigantic scale around the world. In this time of contradiction and urgency, open data is more important than ever. They ensure that we all understand what is actually happening in the energy sector, separating facts from exaggerations and strengthening the integrity of our public debate. The mission of the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) is to bring the detailed facts to light, especially in an increasingly uncertain world. GEM’s in-depth analyzes uncover overlooked realities and contribute to the global discussion on the energy transition.
Our impact is thanks to you – our close partner organizations and the thousands of users who access our data across industries every year. They trust GEM as a common source of trusted information in an increasingly polarized world.
Enclosed you will find the current AMF newsletter, edited by Jan Schmidt and with contributions from a team of authors from North America, Europe and Asia. We hope you read it with interest. The newsletter is also available online:http://www.iea-amf.org/content/publications/newsletters.
The future of bio-based companies is global! We follow important international developments – from Thailand to Europe to the USA.
I wish you a relaxed 3rd week of Advent and a blessed Christmas.
Kind regards,
Bernd Ahlers, Berlin
Teagasc has published a research report examining the potential of agricultural anaerobic digestion (AV) to support Ireland’s growing biogas industry. Produced as part of the FLEET project (Farm Level Economic, Environmental and Transport Modelling of Alternative Feedstocks for Regional Anaerobic Digestion), the report provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of the economics, environmental impacts, and logistical challenges of using grass and animal manure as feedstock for biogas production on a national scale. The report concludes that while supplying grass silage to AV plants can be a competitive alternative to traditional cattle and sheep farming, profitability varies considerably from farm to farm and depends significantly on the price farmers receive for the silage. The study also highlights the substantial environmental benefits of increased use of anaerobic digestion. Grass-based digestion systems could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the farm level by 50 to 98% per hectare, primarily through reductions in livestock numbers. Manure-based fermentation systems achieved emission reductions of up to 11% per hectare. https://teagasc.ie/news–events/news/teagasc-unveils-major-new-study-on-agricultural-feedstocks-for-irelands-emerging-biomethane-industry/
Researchers at RMIT are developing new methods to reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects by transforming everyday organic waste into useful building materials. A life cycle assessment has shown for the first time that biochar made from coffee grounds can contribute to the production of lower-carbon concrete while confirming the strength benefits observed in previous laboratory tests. In earlier experiments, the RMIT team heated coffee grounds to about 350 degrees Celsius in the absence of oxygen to produce fine biochar. When this replaced 15 percent of the sand in the concrete, the strength increased by about 30 percent after 28 days. This suggests a viable way to reduce the strain on natural sand resources. Building on this, a new study presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment—a cradle-to-grave analysis that measures CO₂ emissions, resource consumption, and other environmental impacts from production to the end of the product’s life cycle. https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/coffee-ground-waste-into-concrete-australia
The UK has introduced new regulations, expected to come into force in early 2026, extending the commissioning deadline for plants under the UK’s Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) until March 31, 2030. Subject to parliamentary approval, applicants will have an additional two years to bring their plants online and begin injecting biomethane into the gas network. The UK’s Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) has various mechanisms in place to manage the budget and ensure good value for money, while maintaining investor confidence and promoting plant development. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementation-of-the-future-regulation-of-medical-devices/implementation-of-the-future-regulations
Clean Energy Technologies has unveiled a new, dedicated HTAP™ platform designed for integration into existing and planned anaerobic digestion (AV) and renewable natural gas (RNG) production plants. This solution enables AV operators to convert difficult-to-digest biomass and AV digestate into additional renewable energy and carbon-rich biochar, thereby improving the overall efficiency and economics of RNG production. Many AV plants face limitations in biogas production due to the low biodegradability of certain organic feedstocks. CETY’s High Temperature Ablative Pyrolysis (HTAP™) technology thermochemically converts forestry residues, agricultural waste, and other non-food-grade biomass into clean synthesis gas. When combined with anaerobic or catalytic methanation systems, this synthesis gas can be upgraded to pipeline-grade RNG. The platform also addresses a growing challenge for the industry: digestate management. Digestate can contain more than 55% unprocessed volatile solids, resulting in long composting times and associated costs. HTAP™ thermochemically converts digestate into synthesis gas—enabling on-site power generation of up to 1.3–1.6 MW or additional RNG production of up to 8 MMBtu/h—as well as into biochar, which can be tested and certified for agricultural or industrial applications. Biochar provides carbon stability, eliminates pathogens, improves soil quality, and—subject to certification—can be credited toward carbon sequestration. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/10/3203011/0/en/CETY-Launches-HTAP-Platform-for-Anaerobic-Digestion-Facilities-to-Increase-RNG-Production-and-Convert-Digestate-into-Biochar.html
Celtic Renewables in Grangemouth will create up to 149 new jobs by 2030. This is due to the allocation of £6.23 million to support preparatory work for a new biorefinery in Grangemouth. The refinery will produce “green” chemicals by converting waste from the food, beverage, and agricultural sectors into acetone, butanol, and ethanol – chemicals found in everyday products such as nail polish remover and cleaning agents. The technology has been identified by Project Willow as one of the most promising alternatives that can be successfully implemented in the Grangemouth industrial area. https://biofuels-news.com/news/celtic-renewables-secures-funding-for-green-chemical-production-at-grangemouth/
American Biofuels Maritime Initiative (ABMI), a unified group of bioenergy stakeholders co-chaired by the Renewable Fuels Association and the American Biogas Council (ABC), announced its official launch. The new group plans to work with President Trump’s Administration and Congress to establish strong policies that accelerate the use of American-made energy and biofuels in the global maritime sector – thereby establishing U.S. dominance in the future of international maritime shipping. https://americanbiogascouncil.org/new-initiative-promotes-us-biofuels-for-maritime-market/
Topsoe has been chosen to deliver advanced Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) technology, consuming 120MW green power for Carbon Neutral Fuels’ e-SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) project called Project Starling in Workington, UK. The plant is expected to produce 25,000 metric tons of e-SAF per year. Construction is planned for 2028 with operations expected in 2031 pending final investment decision. The project was the largest e-fuels award of the UK Government’s third Advanced Fuels Fund granted in July 2025, directly delivering on the UK’s SAF Mandate. https://www.topsoe.com/press-releases/topsoe-and-carbon-neutral-fuels-join-forces-to-advance-e-saf-with-soec-electrolyzer-technology