Dear Readers,
The global economy is currently experiencing its most volatile period since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022. Oil broke through the $110 barrier in just weeks after the US began bombing Iran in late February. The economic shockwaves emanating from the Middle East conflict have demonstrated the importance of renewable supply chains in a world plagued by geopolitical uncertainty. Scaling up bio-based and circular supply chains enables countries to transform local biomass into strategic and economic value and reduce their reliance on fragile global supply chains. By helping to diversify the raw materials of global production away from oil, the circular bioeconomy, such as that offered by Biotech Energy, can build buffers against global shocks and mitigate price increases that can cripple industry. Learn how the circular bioeconomy supports economic resilience at: https://biotech-energy.com/
As farmers worldwide enter the spring planting season, locally produced bio-based inputs can provide a buffer for those who lack access to oil-based inputs. Bio-based agricultural inputs could provide a more reliable supply flow in the coming years, at least in certain agricultural regions. They could also become more price-competitive with petrochemical versions if synthetic chemicals remain elevated. Biotech Energy offers the ability to convert local biomass into commodities. This will become increasingly necessary as climate change and new geopolitical configurations undermine old certainties about trade and supply chains. European and other Asian countries could draw on resources to build their renewable supply chains and realize the strategic potential of their bioeconomies.
An end to the Middle East conflict is still a long way off, despite numerous announcements by US President Donald Trump. As was the case under the previous coalition government in 2022, the German biogas industry is wondering why the current government shows so little interest in this domestic, crisis-proof, and climate-friendly gas. Instead, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Reiche has presented new plans for importing LNG from various countries and even announced a relaxation of the EU methane regulation. This is intended to facilitate imports.
Furthermore, the energy ministers of the German states are also far from satisfied with the federal government’s energy policy. Meanwhile, biogas plant operators are seriously worried about the future of their facilities. The draft Energy Industry Act (EnWG) catches many planned biomethane projects completely off guard, containing extremely risky regulations. To bring biogas more prominently into the public debate, plant operators have launched the campaign “Biogas is the Future 2.0.” We conducted an extensive, exclusive interview with one of the initiators, who also has innovative and new proposals for policymakers. Biogas is also a solution for organic farms.
The use of E20 reduces carbon dioxide emissions, which are partly responsible for global warming, compared to gasoline of fossil origin, because the plants used in its production absorb CO2 from the air during their growth. Since bioethanol is not subject to CO2 taxes, a liter of E20 should also be somewhat cheaper than E10. Furthermore, E20 reduces dependence on petroleum for energy production and, due to its high octane rating of at least 98, is considered very knock-resistant, meaning it is resistant to uncontrolled auto-ignition. A precise date for the introduction of E20 has not yet been set (as of March 2026). However, E20 Super is not expected to be widely available in Germany before 2027 at the earliest. Standardization procedures are currently underway at the European level to guarantee the fuel’s compatibility throughout the European Union. Specifically, this concerns the EN 228 standard, which legally regulates the composition of commercially available fuels.
The German biogas plant Mühlacker, Baden-Württemberg, has integrated the BIO-ROXX module from Wangen Pumps. This represents a significant advancement in substrate processing, addresses the increasing complexity of biogas feedstocks, and improves the plant’s overall performance. The biogas plant was founded in 2007 as a subsidiary of the Mühlacker Public Works Department. As one of the first plants in Baden-Württemberg with its own gas upgrading facility, it is now the center of a thriving regional circular economy. The plant processes raw materials from approximately 120 regional suppliers into high-quality universal fertilizers for horticulture and biogas. The upgraded biogas is fed directly into the public natural gas grid, thus supporting a decentralized energy supply. https://impeller.net/magazin/innovative-substrate-preparation-boosts-efficiency-at-muhlacker-biomethane-plant/
Philippine sugarcane farmers have raised concerns about a proposal that would temporarily suspend the blending requirement for locally produced biofuels in fuels. They fear this could negatively impact their incomes. Renato Cabati, president of the Philippine Ethanol Producers Association (EPAP), brought the issue up during a Senate Energy Committee hearing. The discussion centered on proposed amendments to the Republic law that mandates fuels sold domestically must contain a percentage of locally produced biofuel. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2194010/fwd-sugar-farmers-wary-of-senate-bill-suspending-mandatory-use-of-biofuels
CropEnergies AG in Mannheim welcomes the British government’s decision to provide substantial financial support to its UK subsidiary, Ensus UK Ltd., in Wilton. The government has approved a financing package worth approximately £100 million (around €115 million) to keep the plant operational and thus ensure a long-term supply of biogenic CO₂ and bioethanol for fuels. The plant had ceased production in September 2025 due to economic difficulties. Ensus is the last remaining large-scale industrial biorefinery in the UK. In addition to bioethanol for fuels, it supplies biogenic CO₂ to a wide range of key industries, including the food and beverage industry, healthcare and hospitals, the nuclear industry, and various industrial cooling and processing applications. https://www.cropenergies.com/en/press/details/cropenergies-welcomes-uk-government-support-for-british-ethanol-plant
Future Energy Global, a provider of sustainable aviation fuels, and Climate Impact Partners, a company developing solutions for the carbon market, have entered into a collaborative agreement to launch Sustainable Aviation Funding Certificates (SAFc). “To grow the SAF market and enable the aviation industry to achieve its carbon neutrality goals, the involvement of more players is needed,” said Natasha Mann, CEO and co-founder of Future Energy Global. SAFc will allow companies to reduce Scope 3 emissions from business travel and cargo transport. According to the report, this partnership will help bring together airlines, investors, SAF producers, and companies to bridge this gap and create a financial ecosystem that supports both industry transformation and corporate climate leadership. Learn more https://www.safinvestor.com/news/149708/future-energy-climate-impact-partners/
Indonesia plans to accelerate the blending of bioethanol with gasoline amid a sharp rise in global oil prices due to the armed conflict in the Middle East. The government is developing ethanol fuel blends as part of its broader strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the transition to cleaner energy, according to the report. The urgency of this move has increased due to the surge in oil prices resulting from the escalating military conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. Minister Bahlil had previously announced plans to introduce E20 by 2028 to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on gasoline imports. However, the government may accelerate the timeline given the geopolitical developments in the Middle East, which continue to affect countries heavily reliant on fossil fuels. https://english.news.cn/20260309/9460209887254e9dbe07099cd90afaa5/c.html
Equinor has signed a two-year supply agreement for bio-methanol with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a global player in shipping and vehicle logistics, supporting the growing demand for low-carbon fuels in the shipping sector. Under the agreement, Equinor’s bio-methanol will fuel vessels transporting vehicles and machinery from production sites to markets. Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a market leader in RoRo shipping and vehicle logistics, will use the bio-methanol as bunker fuel for its future dual-fuel (methanol) vessels, according to Equinor. https://www.equinor.com/news/20260311-bio-methanol-agreement-wallenius-wilhelmsen
Australian company Nufarm Limited has expanded its strategic partnership with bp, reaffirming its goal of scaling up sustainable biofuel production to meet the growing demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (RD). The updated agreement provides a long-term framework for the scalable growth of Carinata as an intermediate product in biofuel production. https://nufarm.com/announcements/nufarm-strengthens-strategic-collaboration-to-support-long-term-growth-in-biofuels-production/
Indonesia’s crude palm oil production reached 51.66 million tons in 2025, a 7.3% increase year-on-year, according to data from the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI). Palm oil stocks stood at 2.07 million tons at the end of 2025, a 25% decrease from the previous month. GAPKI Secretary General Hadi Sugeng stated that producers are aiming for increased production in 2026, but drought and regulatory challenges could limit growth. He noted that any production increase is expected to be moderate, likely only 1–2%, and not exceeding 5%. https://ukragroconsult.com/en/news/indonesias-palm-oil-production-expected-to-see-limited-growth-in-2026/
UK company Clean Energy Technologies (CETY) announced progress in developing a modular waste-to-energy (WTE) solution in collaboration with METIS Power Inc. This solution can support decentralized power generation, rural energy security, and sustainable waste utilization across North America. The modular solution integrates commercially available, externally fired gas turbine technology with the METIS MEC5700 burner and CETY’s proprietary pyrolysis systems to convert waste into synthesis gas. The combined configuration is designed to enable efficient and scalable power generation from waste fuels in modular 1 MW and 2 MW configurations, according to the company. More on this topic: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/clean-energy-technologies-metis-power-130000915.html
Scientists at the Institute of Nanoscience and Technology have developed a novel quasi-two-dimensional tellurium nanolayer material that could significantly improve the efficiency of hydrogen electrolyzers. The research team discovered a method for producing quasi-two-dimensional α-tellurium nanolayers that exhibit a novel ferromagnetic state. The institute is affiliated with the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology. According to the researchers, the new nanolayers offer an unconventional approach to controlling magnetism and catalytic activity in a single material. This property could reduce the energy required for hydrogen production, accelerate the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and lower electricity consumption in the production of green hydrogen. Learn more https://dst.gov.in/newly-developed-nanosheets-bring-potential-future-clean-energy-production
Biomethanol from Shanghai Electric’s Taonan project in China was successfully loaded onto the container ship CMA CGM OSMIUM at Yangshan Port in Shanghai this month. This operation marks the first large-scale use of Chinese biomethanol by a world-leading shipping company and underscores Shanghai Electric’s growing presence in green hydrogen and next-generation fuel technologies. The loading, coordinated by Shanghai International Port Group from March 5-6, was carried out using a simultaneous loading and unloading procedure, allowing for efficient coordination between cargo handling and fuel supply. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/powering-global-maritime-decarbonization-shanghai-electric-delivers-first-large-scale-biomethanol-bunkering-for-international-shipping-302725625.html
Kawasaki Heavy Industries and KOBE Steel have announced the commissioning of a next-generation hydrogen supply system for hydrogen power generation. This is the world’s first hydrogen supply system for a power plant using a hydrogen intermediate liquid vaporizer (IFV) in combination with a liquid hydrogen pump capable of generating pressure beyond its critical pressure. The report highlighted that the two companies are collaborating on the NEDO-funded project “Technology Development to Improve the Efficiency and Performance of the Hydrogen Supply System in a Regional Hydrogen CGS Model.” The goal is to systematize the design and operational knowledge of a hydrogen supply system consisting of a liquid hydrogen pump, an IFV, and a hydrogen gas turbine. This is based on a hydrogen gas turbine generator demonstration plant installed at the Kobe Hydrogen Energy Center on Port Island in Kobe. Read more https://www.gasworld.com/story/kawasaki-kobe-steel-demonstrate-liquid-hydrogen-system-for-japanese-cogeneration/2244343.article/
Australian Green Biotechnology Solutions, a joint venture between Japan’s Nippon Steel Trading and Queensland-based Energreen, was established to create a large-scale Pongamia tree plantation near Emerald. The agreement followed trade talks during a recent delegation visit to Japan, which included the Minister of Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates, and the Minister of Primary Industries, Tony Perrett. Planting of tens of thousands of Pongamia trees began earlier this month, creating a commercial tree nursery, and local landowners can grow Pongamia on their own land under supply contracts with the joint venture. https://www.nst.nipponsteel.com/en/news/2025/260310_1474.html
The conversion of sugarcane waste into biofuel could become more environmentally friendly and cost-effective thanks to a joint project between the University of Queensland and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Researchers have successfully tested a process that simplifies the processing of sugarcane waste (bagasse). The research results were published in the journal “Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining”. https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-03-one-pot-process-convert-sugarcane-waste-jet-fuel
The organization ePure reports on the newly announced trade agreement between the EU and Australia. This is a severe blow to the European ethanol industry and the entire agricultural sector, which are already suffering from the consequences of the EU-Mercosur agreement. The EU-Australia agreement grants the EU duty-free access to 10,000 tons of Australian ethanol: a significant concession in a highly sensitive sector, especially at a time when European ethanol producers face intense international competition and benefit from lower energy costs and broader political support. The EU-Mercosur agreement stipulates a tariff quota of 650,000 tons of ethanol – meaning the EU will purchase quantities equivalent to 12% of the total market. https://www.epure.org/press-release/eu-australia-trade-deal-another-gut-punch-to-europes-strategically-important-renewable-ethanol-industry/