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UFOP regretted Germany’s passivity regarding biofuels. “While in the EU, the topic of biofuels, especially from cultivated biomass, is not being discussed with regard to the necessary strategic support policy, but rather the discussion is essentially limited to limiting the threshold values, third countries are taking a much more committed approach,” said Dieter Bockey of UFOP. The goal of this initiative is to quadruple the global production and use of sustainable fuels by 2035. https://cop30.br/en/news-about-cop30/brazil-pledges-to-quadruple-production-of-sustainable-fuels The call particularly emphasizes the need for increased international cooperation and addresses specific coordination requirements (which UFOP also fundamentally addresses – including greenhouse gas accounting, cultivation, animal feed, etc.): Attachment
To increase ethanol production, India has increasingly focused on importing US corn. However, the rules prohibit ethanol from imported grains and genetically modified (GM) food crops. The United States primarily grows GM corn, although some US farmers also produce non-GMO varieties, the report added. Regarding the current trade dispute, the United States is pushing India to allow corn imports, arguing that ethanol made from US corn would be used exclusively for blending with gasoline and not for Indian agriculture. The Economic Times reports that the United States could reduce tariffs on Indian imports from 50% to 15-16%, with the deal likely to hinge on energy and agriculture. The report noted that corn and soybeans have played a prominent role in the negotiations, with the United States eager to sell these two agricultural products to India. About the report:https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/why-are-corn-and-soybeans-at-the-heart-of-india-us-trade-talks/amp_articleshow/124783550.cms
Caravel Bio announced it has received a $7.8 million grant from the U.S. to model the development of tools for building proteins with new chemicals, with the goal of developing innovative products across multiple industries. Until now, protein engineering has focused primarily on the 20 canonical amino acids. Non-canonical amino acids could unlock superior protein performance. However, the lack of laboratory methods limited their use. Caravel combines cell-free protein synthesis and bacterial spore imaging to overcome this barrier, enabling the creation of novel protein chemistries and datasets for machine learning. Caravel’s integrated platform unifies all phases of protein discovery and delivery. Traditionally, these steps were handled separately by different teams, increasing costs and limiting applications. The company’s technology accelerates cell-free directed evolution by enabling the construction and testing of millions of protein variants in parallel. https://www.caravel.bio/
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Lloyd’s Register (LR) has launched its new Biofuel Advisory Service. The report noted that the new service is designed to provide comprehensive support to shipping companies deploying biofuels throughout the entire supply chain—from production and certification to delivery and onboard use. James Frew, Director of Lloyd’s Register Advisory, explained: “Biofuels offer an immediate and practical solution, but shipowners need confidence in performance, safety, and compliance. Our new Biofuel Advisory Service combines technical expertise and regulatory insights to provide the industry with confidence and clarity at every stage of the biofuel supply and implementation process.” https://www.lr.org/en/knowledge/press-room/press-listing/press-release/2025/lr-launches-biofuel-advisory-service-to-help-accelerate-shippings-decarbonisation/
Airbus and the Cathay Group have announced a joint investment of up to $70 million to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel production in Asia and globally. Under the partnership, the two companies will work together to identify, evaluate, and invest in projects that support the scaling of SAF production through 2030 and beyond. Projects will be evaluated based on their economic viability, technological maturity, and long-term offtake potential. Learn more at: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-10-airbus-and-cathay-form-co-investment-partnership-for-scaling
The Australian government announced it will invest $731 million in the development of a low-carbon fuel industry. The funds will be provided over ten years and will spur private investment in products such as biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel, according to the government. Australia is a major producer of crops such as rapeseed, sugarcane, and sorghum, which can be used to make fuel. “Thanks to our advanced agricultural practices and access to affordable and reliable renewable energy, Australia is in an enviable position to produce the cleaner, low-carbon liquid fuels that aircraft, ships, construction equipment, and heavy trucks need to achieve carbon neutrality,” the government statement said. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/esg/australia-promises-1-1-billion-develop-biofuel-industry
The Middle East bio-based plastics market is expected to reach USD 813.7 million by 2033, up from USD 409.1 million in 2024. Saudi Arabia dominated the Middle East bio-based plastics market with the largest revenue share of 54.81% in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2025 to 2033, according to the report. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/middle-east-bio-based-plastics
A research team at Aston University, UK, has developed a process for producing renewable hydrogen and propane from glycerin. Glycerin is produced primarily from fats and oils through hydrolysis in traditional soap production or through transesterification in biodiesel production and is widely used in health and beauty products. The HYDROGAS project, led by Jude Onwudili of Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, investigated the potential of glycerin as a feedstock for hydrogen and propane production. Since crude glycerin from biodiesel production plants is available in large quantities and at low cost, the research could benefit the environment and reduce dependence on fuel imports, Onwudili said. “Our approach was to use some of the glycerin itself to generate the hydrogen gas needed for biopropane production, eliminating the need for expensive external sources,” Onwudili said. HYDROGAS’s first objective, developing a process to produce sufficient hydrogen to convert glycerol into biopropane, has been successful, and the second objective, achieving high biopropane yields, is still being investigated, the report adds. https://www.aston.ac.uk/reputation/research-pioneers-making-renewable-hydrogen-and-propane-fuel-gases-glycerol
Sael Industries, an Indian renewable energy company, expects to procure two million tons of rice waste this year and convert it into clean electricity through its fuel aggregator. According to the report, the company operates eleven waste-to-energy (WTE) plants in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan with a total capacity of 165 MW. Sael Industries’ managing director said, “Crop residues represent an untapped opportunity—environmentally, socially, and economically.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/sael-to-procure-2-million-tonne-paddy-stubble-aims-to-convert-waste-into-clean-energy/articleshow/124756266.cms
Euromekanik, a Swedish hydrogen systems integrator, and Hystar, a Norwegian manufacturer of next-generation PEM electrolyzers, announced their collaboration on the Lhyfe projects in southern Sweden, located in Jordberga and Vaggeryd. With a capacity of 10 MW each, these two projects currently represent the most advanced large-scale renewable green hydrogen projects in Sweden aimed at the mass market, according to Lhyfe. More at: https://www.lhyfe.com/press/lhyfe-euromekanik-and-hystar-are-partnering-up-to-move-towards-final-investment-decision-on-the-two-largest-green-hydrogen-projects-for-the-bulk-market-in-sweden/
Norwegian energy company Equinor and Mana, part of NG Nordic, have entered into an early-stage strategic partnership to explore the potential development of the Nordic countries’ first large-scale waste-to-methanol project at the Mongstad complex. The project is supported by sustainable technology solutions provider NEXTCHEM. The plan is to convert approximately 550,000 tons of residual waste annually into 270,000 tons of methanol and to capture and permanently store 400,000 tons of CO2. According to the partners, the produced methanol could initially replace marine fuel to meet the targets of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. End users would then no longer have to purchase ETS certificates and pay penalties. Later, it could potentially be used as a feedstock for methanol-to-jet plants to produce sustainable fuel in accordance with the FuelEU Aviation Regulation. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/equinor-and-partners-looking-into-nordics-first-large-scale-waste-to-methanol-plant/
Researchers at Chiba University in Japan have discovered that modifying platinum cathodes with naturally occurring purine bases can increase the activity of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the key step in splitting water into hydrogen, by up to fourfold. The report found that this approach can significantly reduce the platinum requirement, enabling cost-effective, large-scale hydrogen production. The work, led by Syunnosuke Tanaka and Professor Masashi Nakamura of the Graduate School of Engineering at Chiba University in Japan, could pave the way for more practical and cost-effective water electrolysis systems. “Platinum is in limited supply, which complicates the widespread use of water electrolysis and fuel cell catalysts,” said Professor Nakamura. https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/hydrogen/purinemodified-platinum-electrodes-could-cut-hydrogen-costs-20251021
Indonesian renewable energy company PT Maharaksa Biru Energi (OASA), through its subsidiary PT Indoplas Energy Hijau (IEH), has formed a joint venture with Chinese waste management technology provider China Tianying Inc. (CNTY) for a waste management project near Jakarta. The new company, PT Indoplas Tianying Energy, will reportedly serve as the implementing agency for the construction of a waste-to-energy plant (PSEL) at the Cipeucang landfill in South Tangerang, adjacent to South Jakarta. With an investment of US$158.6 million, the plant will be constructed under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) program with a concession term of 30 years. Construction of the PSEL is scheduled to begin in early 2026, and completion is targeted within three years. https://indonesiabusinesspost.com/5220/energy-and-resources/oasa-china-tianying-partner-to-set-up-waste-to-energy-plant-in-south-tangerang
Starting with the 2026 European cruise season, Repsol will directly supply biofuels to the ships of NCLH’s various cruise brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – during calls at the Port of Barcelona, and renewable methanol from 2029 onwards. This agreement is a milestone and demonstrates that renewable fuels will play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of shipping. By partnering with NCLH, one of the world’s leading cruise lines, we are demonstrating that renewable fuels can now be deployed at scale to immediately reduce emissions at sea,” said Juan Abascal, General Manager of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy at Repsol. https://www.repsol.com/es/sala-prensa/notas-prensa/2025/repsol-suministrara-norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-combustibles-renovables-largo-plazo-barcelona/index.cshtml
Indonesia’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government has begun implementing Presidential Decree No. 109/2025, which mandates the use of environmentally friendly technologies to convert municipal solid waste into renewable energy as part of the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) program. “The Presidential Decree has been issued, and we are ready for the next phase. Danantara will primarily manage it,” Lahadalia said. He emphasized that Danantara, Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, will lead the waste-to-energy projects. According to the decree, waste is recognized as a renewable energy source that can be converted into electricity, biogas, biofuel, renewable fuel oil, and other derived products using clean technologies. More at: https://en.antaranews.com/news/387029/ri-govt-moves-to-turn-urban-waste-into-renewable-energy
JFE Engineering, part of JFE Holdings, has commissioned a 112 MW biomass power plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, together with its partners. Leasing company Tokyo Century and Japanese energy providers Chubu Electric Power and Toho Gas Co. are also involved in the Tahara biomass power plant, according to the report. The new renewable energy facility in Tahara City is expected to generate approximately 770 million kilowatt-hours annually from wood pellets, meeting the needs of approximately 250,000 households. https://japanenergyhub.com/news/jfe-engineering-chubu-epco-tahara-biomass-cod/
According to a senior official at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), India will join the ranks of countries producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by the end of this year, according to BioEnergy Times. Jane Hupe, Deputy Director of the Environment Division of the ICAO’s Air Transport Office, said India is emerging as a “key player in the global aviation energy transition.” India is currently taking actions and initiatives and responding to the aviation energy transition, which is very impressive. India will produce SAF from HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) by the end of the year. Production is scheduled to begin at the Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat refinery, with first shipments expected before India’s blending regulations come into force in 2027, the report states. https://bioenergytimes.com/
US company Plug Power announced a strategic partnership with Edgewood Renewables to support the development and construction of its advanced renewable fuels facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The project is designed to process biomass waste to produce sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and biomethanol using renewable natural gas (RNG) and low-carbon hydrogen. Under the partnership, Plug will provide engineering, supply of key products, manufacturing, and project monitoring. Construction of the facility and equipment is expected to begin in the coming months, the company said. https://www.ir.plugpower.com/press-releases/news-details/2025/Plug-Power-Partners-with-Edgewood-Renewables-to-Build-Best-in-Class-Renewable-Fuels-Facility-in-Nevada/default.aspx
The Malaysian region of Sarawak has shipped 500,000 tonnes of methanol abroad in over 60 shipments over the past eight months. Sarawak’s Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said Sarawak made history earlier this year with its first methanol shipment to China. He said other export destinations besides Peninsular Malaysia include Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and several other countries. “The petrochemical industry in Bintulu will be further strengthened with the construction of a methanol plant and downstream gas-based projects. With this strong foundation, Sarawak aims to consolidate its position as a leading petrochemical hub in Asia, contributing to the future prosperity of the state and the nation,” he said. https://www.sarawaktribune.com/sarawak-now-an-exporter-of-methanol-500000-metric-tonnes-exported/
Argentina’s biodiesel production is expected to reach its lowest level ever in 2025, at 1.2 billion liters, a 7% decline from the previous year. The report noted that soybean oil remains the primary feedstock, with the blending rate estimated at 6.6%—below the regulatory limit of 7.5%—while production capacity remains unchanged at over 70% utilization. “The local biofuels sector has stagnated in recent years due to legislation regulating the sector, official policies, or lack thereof, and political-economic decisions,” the USDA stated. https://www.ofimagazine.com/news/argentine-2025-biodiesel-production-among-lowest-on-record