September 20, 2022
BY Erin Voegele
China’s biodiesel production in 2022 is expected to increase by 32 percent when compared to 2021 due primarily to a surge in export demand, according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network. Domestic ethanol blend rates, however, remain limited with no mandates beyond one municipal B5 program.
China currently has 46 biodiesel plants, up from 44 in 2021 and 42 in 2020. Nameplate capacity is expected to reach 4.7 billion liters (1.24 billion gallons) this year, up from 2.8 billion liters in 2021 and 2.726 billion liters in 2020. Capacity utilization is expected to fall to 51.7 percent in 2022, down from 65.5 percent in 2021 and 53.4 percent in 2020.
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An estimated 2.381 million metric tons of used cooking oil is expected to be used as feedstock for biodiesel production this year, up from 1.798 million metric tons in 2021 and 1.426 million metric tons in 2020.
Producers in China are expected to manufacture 2.43 billion liters of biodiesel this year, up from 1.835 billion liters in 2021 and 1.455 billion liters in 2020. Consumption is expected to reach 600 million liters in 2022, up from 564 million liters last year and 522 million liters in 2020.
China is expected to export 2.125 billion liters of biodiesel this year, up from 1.835 billion liters in 2021 and 1.455 billion liters in 2020. Nearly all of 2022 biodiesel exports are expected to be destined for the European Union.
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China is expected to import 295 million liters of biodiesel this year, up from 204 million liters last year and 102 million liters in 2020.
A full copy of the report can be downloaded from the USDA FAS GAIN website.
BWC Terminals on April 22 celebrated the official completion of its expanded renewable fuels terminal at the Port of Stockton. The facility is designed to safely and efficiently transfer renewable diesel and biodiesel from marine vessels.
Repsol and Bunge on April 25 announced plans to incorporate the use of camelina and safflower feedstocks in the production of renewable fuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Renewable Fuels Month highlights the importance of renewable biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. The month of May marks the beginning of the summer driving season, making it an ideal time to fuel up on clean and cost-saving biofuels.
PBF Energy on May 1 announced that its St. Bernard Renewables facility produced approximately 10,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel during Q1, down from 17,000 barrels per day during the Q4 2024.
Germany-based Mabanaft on April 17 announced it started to supply SAF to airlines at Frankfurt Airport in January. The company said it will deliver more than 1,000 metric tons of SAF to the airport this year under the European SAF mandate.