Acelen aposta na macaúba para gerar biocombustível

: Biofuels
24/06/19

A Acelen, subsidiária brasileira do fundo soberano árabe Mubadala, planeja usar a macaúba, uma palmeira nativa brasileira, para produzir biocombustíveis, disse o CEO Luiz Mendonça na conferência Argus Biofuels and Feedstocks Latin America.

A empresa quer estabelecer uma floresta permanente de 180 mil hectares para plantar macaúba, disse Mendonça na conferência, que acontece entre hoje e amanhã em São Paulo.

A maior vantagem da macaúba é que a planta pode produzir 7-10 litros/hectare a mais de biocombustíveis do que a soja, acrescentou ele. As palmeiras podem ser cultivadas no cerrado, bioma presente em cerca de 25pc do País.

A palmeira também pode crescer em áreas de plantio devastadas, o que agrada os mercados americanos e europeus, disse o executivo.

Mendonça também falou que a macaúba pede pouca água, começa a dar frutos em 3-4 anos e pode produzir por 30-40 anos.

A palmeira ainda pode gerar outros subprodutos para setores de cosméticos, polímeros e alimentação animal, entre outros, o CEO acrescentou.

A Acelen informou, no ano passado, que planeja construir uma biorrefinaria na Bahia para produzir óleo vegetal hidratado (HVO) e combustível sustentável de aviação (SAF) para o mercado de exportação.

A biorrefinaria deverá começar a operar em 2026 e terá uma capacidade de produção de 20 mil b/d de HVO e SAF. A empresa pretende investir até US$ 2,5 bilhões na nova refinaria ao longo da próxima década.

Inicialmente, a planta usará óleo de soja e de milho como matéria-prima, e fará a transição para o óleo de palmeira dentro de 3-4 anos.

Mas a macaúba não é uma "arma mágica" para aumentar a produção global de biocombustíveis, disse Mendonça. "Outras empresas estão pesquisando outras coisas. Se vamos [ampliar a produção de biocombustível], será um esforço conjunto. Todos estão contribuindo", falou.

Combustível do Futuro

O CEO disse que o programa Combustível do Futuro foi importante para aumentar a produção de biocombustível, mas é apenas um primeiro passo de um longo caminho.

Mendonça se disse cético sobre o programa, já que não oferece mandatos claros para o setor. "O Brasil está atrás do resto do mundo" no assunto, ele afirmou.

Por Lucas Parolin

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24/12/23

Viewpoint: European HVO demand to rise in 2025

London, 23 December (Argus) — European demand for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), or renewable diesel, will be supported in 2025 by a combination of higher mandates for the use of renewables in transport, and by changes to EU member state regulations on the carryover of renewable fuels tickets, like in Germany and the Netherlands . European HVO production could grow by more than 400,000t in 2025, if announced projects are completed in time. Most new plants have the flexibility to switch to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, in the form of hydrotreated esters and fatty acids synthesised paraffinic kerosene (HEFA-SPK). But those seeking to import HVO into the EU will face barriers. Definitive EU anti-dumping duties (ADDs) on Chinese biodiesel and HVO will be imposed by mid-February , and anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties are already in place for HVO and biodiesel of US and Canadian origin . Flows of US-origin HVO to the UK are unimpeded as transposed EU duties were removed in 2022 . A clean slate... Against a headwind of gradually shrinking diesel demand, national transport renewables mandates are increasing. These ambitions rise again under the next iteration of the EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), for which member states face a May 2025 transposition deadline. Optimism in the biofuels markets will be tempered by experiences in 2024. The low value of renewable fuel tickets — tradeable credits generated primarily by the sale of biofuel-blended fuels — in major European demand centres has weighed on supplier appetite for physical biofuels. This includes the relatively expensive HVO that can be blended in much greater volumes than cheaper fatty acid methyl esters (Fame). A portion of these tradeable tickets can usually be carried over from one obligation year to the next — as was done from 2023-24 — extending pressure on physical biofuel demand. But Germany has approved a law removing the option for companies to carry over excess 2024 greenhouse gas (GHG) certificates through both 2025 and 2026, aimed at resetting the outlook for physical renewables demand. Obligated parties will need start from scratch to meet their annual GHG savings targets — at 10.6pc for 2025 and 12.1pc for 2026 — resulting in greater demand for physical biofuels including HVO. In the Netherlands, the tickets carryover will be reduced from 25pc to 10pc for companies with an annual blending obligation. ...follows volatility Prompt HVO assessments firmed significantly late in 2024 — albeit from long-term lows — driven by short-term demand in the Netherlands at a time of tight regional supply. HVO (Class II) fob ARA range, a European benchmark based on HVO produced from used cooking oil (UCO), peaked at $1,500/m³ as a premium to escalated gasoil by 14 November — or a 122pc increase from the start of October — equating to $2,652.91/t on an outright basis. Assessments then fell back to a $860/m³ premium a week later, when the market rebalanced as suppliers looked to reroute prompt volumes. Before the rise, prices had hovered around historically soft levels for a sustained period. Sweden's decision to slash its GHG emissions mandate for the 2024-26 period due to fuel price concerns, and the low ticket prices have kept a lid on values. The HVO (Class II) outright price averaged around $1,625/t over 1 January-31 October 2024, down by around $580/t compared with the same period of 2023. While fundamentals now point to growth in European HVO use, the futures curve is backwardated. Those in the market may yet take a position that aligns with this viewpoint, but recent volatility has stunted forward trade. By Toby Shay Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: US tax fight next year crucial for 45Z

24/12/23

Viewpoint: US tax fight next year crucial for 45Z

New York, 23 December (Argus) — A Republican-controlled Congress will decide the fate next year of a federal incentive for low-carbon fuels, setting the stage for a lobbying battle that could make or break existing investment plans. The 45Z tax credit, which offers greater subsidies to fuels that produce fewer emissions, is poised to kick off in January. Biofuel output has boomed during President Joe Biden's term, driven in large part by west coast refiners retrofitting facilities to process lower-carbon fats and oils into renewable diesel. The 45Z tax credit, created by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), was designed to extend that growth. But Republicans will soon control Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed the IRA as the "Green New Scam", and Republicans on Capitol Hill, who had no role in passing Biden's signature climate legislation, are keen to cut climate spending to offset the steep cost of extending tax cuts from Trump's first term. Biofuels support is a less likely target for repeal than other climate policies, energy lobbyists say. But Republicans have already requested input on 45Z, signaling openness to changes. Republicans plan to use the reconciliation process, which enables them to avoid a Democratic filibuster in the Senate, to extend tax breaks that are scheduled to expire in 2025. "I want to place our industry in a place to make sure that the biofuels tax credit is part of reconciliation," said Kailee Tkacz Buller, president of the National Oilseed Processors Association. But lawmakers "could punt the biofuels discussion if stakeholders aren't aligned." A decade ago, biofuel policy was a simple tug-of-war between the oil and agriculture industries. Now many refiners formerly critical of the Renewable Fuel Standard produce ethanol and advanced biofuels themselves. And the increasingly diverse biofuels industry could complicate efforts to present a united front to Congress. 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By Cole Martin Tax credit changes 40A Blenders Tax Credit 45Z Producers Tax Credit $1/USG Up to $1/USG for road fuels and up to $1.75/USG for aviation fuels depending on carbon intensity For domestic fuel blenders For domestic fuel producers Imported fuel eligible Imported fuel not eligible Exclusively for biomass-based diesel Fuels that produce no more than 50kg CO2e/mmBTU are eligible Feedstock-agnostic Carbon intensity scoring incentivizes waste over crop feedstocks Co-processed fuels ineligible Co-processed fuels ineligible Administratively simple Requires federal guidance on how to calculate carbon intensities for different feedstocks and fuel pathways Expiring after 2024 Lasts from 2025 through 2027 Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: EU, UK mandates will drive global SAF demand

24/12/20

Viewpoint: EU, UK mandates will drive global SAF demand

London, 20 December (Argus) — Europe will be a primary consumption hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2025, driven by EU and UK mandates that come into effect in January. The mandates could push European SAF demand above 1.5mn t next year, according to Argus Consulting estimates. There should be more than enough global SAF supply to meet mandated demand in Europe in the early stages of obligations. If all announced projects are completed on time, global capacity could surpass 10mn t/yr in 2025, according to Argus Consulting, with hydrotreated esters and fatty acids synthetic paraffinic kerosene (HEFA-SPK) still the dominant SAF production pathway. But several projects have been hit with delays in the past, and some European majors have scaled back or paused their capacity plans. Actual production is likely to be far lower than nameplate capacity, with the International Air Transport Association (Iata) forecasting global output of 2.1mn t next year . European suppliers may also opt to maximise hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) production over HEFA-SPK. In most HEFA-SPK plants, the production process relies on first hydrotreating vegetable oils and fats, a process aligned with standard HVO production. Renewable diesel demand should increase with higher mandates for renewables in road transport and changes to German and Dutch carryover rules on renewable fuel tickets next year. At the same time, European HVO imports face barriers. Definitive EU anti-dumping duties (ADDs) on Chinese biodiesel and HVO are expected to be imposed by February . And anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties are in place on HVO and biodiesel of US and Canadian origin . SAF is excluded from ADDs on Chinese biofuels. SAF supply has grown at a faster pace than demand this year, pushing the northwest European HEFA-SPK premium to jet fuel to record lows . The European benchmark HEFA-SPK fob ARA range assessment averaged around $2,203/t over 1 January-12 December, down from around $3,016/t in the same period last year. Ready, set, mandate Fuel suppliers will need to incorporate a 2pc share of SAF in their annual EU jet fuel deliveries from next year, with the share rising to 70pc by 2050. Synthetic aviation fuels, such as e-kerosine and hydrogen, must reach a total share of 1.2pc from 2030, rising to 35pc in 2050. The UK's mandate also requires aviation fuel suppliers to hit a 2pc SAF share in 2025, increasing linearly to reach 22pc in 2040. A UK obligation for power-to-liquid SAF will be introduced from 2028 at 0.2pc of total jet fuel demand, rising to 3.5pc in 2040. Separately, London's Heathrow airport aims to increase the share of SAF used to 3pc in 2025 as part of an incentive scheme that helps airlines cover extra costs. Beyond Europe Progress to introduce SAF blending obligations or legislate consumption targets is slower outside of Europe. In China, a pilot programme was launched earlier this year to support domestic SAF uptake. A consumption target of 50,000t was set in the country's five-year plan for 2021-25. Other initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region include South Korea's plan to require all international flights departing from its airports to use a mix of 1pc SAF from 2027 and Singapore's 1pc SAF target by 2026 for flights departing the country. Indonesia plans to require 1pc SAF from 2027, while Malaysia and Hong Kong are also expected to set targets. In the US, the level of priority to be given to renewable aviation fuels is less clear following Donald Trump's election victory. Guidance around a new producers' tax credit, set to come into effect next year, is still pending . The growth of the US SAF market has so far been driven mainly by federal and state financial incentives. By Giulia Squadrin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Trump backs new deal to avoid shutdown: Update

24/12/19

Trump backs new deal to avoid shutdown: Update

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US Congress passes waterways bill

24/12/19

US Congress passes waterways bill

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