Brazil biofuels venture to add complex in Alagoas

: Biofuels, Emissions, Fertilizers
25/01/28

Brazilian advanced biofuels firm GranBio, biofuels producer Impacto Bioenergia and two sugarcane plant operators will build a biofuels complex in northeastern Alagoas state, the companies said on Monday.

The biorefinery project, named Exygen I, will cost an estimated R1.5bn ($253mn) and produce carbon neutral ethanol, biomethane and biofertilizers. It will have production capacity of 160mn l/yr (2,760 b/d)by 2026 and use sugarcane byproducts as feedstock, according to GranBio.

Exygen I's estimated biomethane production capacity will be 50mn m³/yr. The complex will produce the renewable gas from vinasse, a by-product of sugarcane processing.

Future investments would include increasing Exygen I's storage capacity and biogas distribution. But the initial storage and biogas distribution capacities were not disclosed.

The project's next step includes producing biogenic CO2 — made from organic matter decomposition — biofertilizers and e-methanol, used in marine fuels.

The project is a joint effort between GranBio, Impacto Bioenergia, Alagoas-based producing unit Caete and sugar and ethanol firm Central Açucareira Santo Antonio.

Brazil's fuels of the future law, approved in October, increased incentives for the country's biofuels market.

By Maria Frazatto

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25/03/04

Germany launches second industry decarbonisation call

Berlin, 4 March (Argus) — Germany's economy ministry has launched a second call for funding decarbonisation projects aimed at mid-sized industry companies, the tender manager announced today. The main tender part, managed by Cottbus-based Competence Centre for Climate Protection in Energy-Intensive Industries KEI, addresses decarbonisation measures planned by mid-sized companies, either through the electrification of processes or the use of hydrogen. Support is capped at €200mn per project. Interested companies are expected to submit a "meaningful" outline of their project by 15 May, KEI said. The formal application phase will begin once their proposal has been accepted. Financing will be provided under the EU's Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), which aims to accelerate green technology funding for a climate-neutral economy. To conform with EU state aid law, grants under the TCTF must be approved by 31 December. The other part of the tender is managed by the Julich research institute and addresses carbon capture and storage or use projects, restricted to hard-to-abate emissions. Support is capped at €30mn per project, or €35mn for industrial research. A total of €3.3bn has been set aside until 2030 for the support, to be financed by Germany's climate and transformation fund KTF, itself financed through the EU emissions trading system and Germany's domestic carbon price. Both tender parts are aimed at industrial companies based in Germany, and which plan or operate plants with industrial processes that are to save at least 40pc of their carbon emissions in production through investments or research projects. The programme is focused on, but not limited to, companies in energy-intensive basic industries such as steel, chemicals, glass, ceramics, paper, cement and lime. The first tender round was held in August . The outgoing government has planned annual calls for funding until 2030. Germany's economy ministry has also held tenders for carbon contracts for difference aimed at larger industry groups. By Chloe Jardine Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Morocco’s sulacid imports hit three-year highs in 2024

25/03/04

Morocco’s sulacid imports hit three-year highs in 2024

London, 4 March (Argus) — Morocco's sulphuric acid imports reached 2.01mn t in 2024, at a three-year high, as two new sulphur burners that came on line at OCP's Jorf Lasfar hub in 2024 supported sulphuric acid intake, customs data showed. The rise in sulphuric acid imports also reflects firm demand for processed phosphate fertilizers from key end-users, which has resulted in strong demand for raw materials such as sulphuric acid. Nearly 50pc of the acid which arrived in Morocco was supplied by China and countries in the Mediterranean/Black Sea region, with the latter shipping record sulphuric acid volumes to Morocco. China shipped 424,000t of acid in 2024, largely unchanged on 2023, but nearly half the volume delivered when compared with 2021 and 2022. Italian deliveries to Morocco rose to a record high of 264,000t, compared with 19,000t in 2023, with some of the volumes understood to be secured under a long term supply contract. Bulgaria supplied 227,000t of acid in 2024, from 19,000t last year, while Turkey shipped 207,400t of acid, up from 37,000t last year. Spanish acid deliveries came to 198,000t in 2024, the highest level shipped since 2021, prior to when OCP paused sulphuric acid buying. Northwest European countries shipped around 430,000t acid in 2024, more than double the volumes delivered on the prior year. Sulphuric acid intake in 2025 is expected to decline on the year — with import estimates ranging from 1-1.1mn t — as the latest sulphur burner commissioned by OCP ramps up in capacity, thus favouring sulphur intake instead. By Lili Minton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

St Louis harbor water levels to improve

25/03/04

St Louis harbor water levels to improve

Houston, 4 March (Argus) — Water levels at the St Louis, Missouri, harbor are forecast to rise above 0ft this week, the National Weather Service (NWS) said, allowing for easier barge transit at the harbor after weeks of low water concerns. St Louis is forecast to receive multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms today, including some hail, with around 1 inch of precipitation expected to pour over the greater St Louis area, according to the NWS. As water from the tributaries reaches the harbor into this weekend, levels as high as 10.7ft are expected by 11 March. This rain is long awaited as the St Louis harbor has been grappling with low water conditions since early January. These conditions were exacerbated by minimal rainfall in February, causing water levels to fall below -3ft at the terminal. Some barge carriers will finally be able to resume loading at their docks after calling off all barge movement due to the low water. Draft restrictions are anticipated to slowly loosen in the coming days as water levels rise, and more weight can be placed on barges. Current draft restrictions are between 9.6-10ft at St Louis. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US tariff on Canadian potash imports goes ahead

25/03/04

US tariff on Canadian potash imports goes ahead

London, 4 March (Argus) — US tariffs on Canadian imports, including a 25pc tariff on potash, have come into effect today after most market participants expected it to either be further delayed or for an exemption on potash imports. US president Donald Trump signed executive orders on 1 February to impose a 25pc levy on all US imports from Canada from 4 February, although energy imports will have a lower 10pc tariff. This was subsequently postponed to 4 March. Plans for the tariffs were announced in November, when Trump won the US presidential election, but most market participants did not expect them to be implemented, or expected that potash could be exempt, given that the US relies so heavily on Canadian product. Most sources believed that the threat of tariffs was largely a bargaining tool related to border security. The US has limited domestic MOP production and more than 80pc of its potash needs are from Canada — 9mn-10mn t/yr of MOP. No other major potash import market relies so heavily on one source. The US also stopped taking MOP from Belarus in 2022 following sanctions, and the lack of Canadian MOP will only further limit supply options. The upcoming US spring market should largely be unaffected as suppliers have positioned stocks accordingly, but granular MOP prices have been on an upwards trend. The president of US fertilizer company Mosaic Bruce Bodine said in an earnings call last week that Mosaic expects potash to remain "affordable" and for no demand destruction to occur because of the tariffs. But affordability could change if corn prices fall or potash prices increase. Whether prices could change enough to affect US consumption is unclear. At a global level, MOP prices remain firm and the implementation of the tariffs today are unlikely to prompt any major change in reactions from key markets. Market participants will keep a close eye on any potential change in trade flows. Canada has responded with its own retaliatory tariffs on $30bn of US imports, followed by another $125bn of imports in 21 days' time. By Julia Campbell Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU, US industry discuss methane regulation

25/03/04

EU, US industry discuss methane regulation

Brussels, 4 March (Argus) — EU officials today held technical talks with US firms to discuss the former's 2024 Methane Emissions Regulation (MER), to support "mutual understanding" on implementation, European Commission officials said. Commission officials added that there are no negotiations with the US on MER, which has caused concern among both US exporters to the EU and the European gas industry. Oil, gas and coal importers will from 1 January 2027 be required to demonstrate equivalent monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) requirements at production level under the regulation. The commission is then expected to establish by 2030 methane intensity classes for producers' and companies' crude, natural gas and coal sold in the EU. The online discussion with US firms follows a "respectful" request by US energy officials to initiate an equivalence determination process. This would allow US methane measurement and reporting procedures to meet EU requirements. Senior US officials noted last year that the EU's equivalence determination process would take time and emphasised the need to begin discussions as soon as possible to ensure the continued reliable and stable supply of US gas to Europe. Commission officials downplayed the meeting today as part of an ongoing engagement on methane emission abatement. But the commission referred to the MER's requirement for importers of gas, oil and coal to provide national authorities with a report on the quantification of source-level methane emissions by 5 August 2025. EU officials are also cautious about drawing "far-reaching" conclusions in terms of the MER's potential effect on relations with US partners, they said. Talks between the EU policymakers and US industry come at a critical moment, according to trade association Eurogas secretary general Andreas Guth. "We hope any talks will be used to resolve concerns around the timeline, uncertainties, and broader impact of the EU's methane regulation, notably on security of affordable supply, while ensuring methane emissions are reduced," said Guth. Eurogas noted the MER's uncertain intensity calculation methodologies and extraterritorial implications. And the organisation said firms are already shying away from liability risks and potential penalties of up to 20pc of the importer's annual turnover. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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