Total U.S. operable biofuels production capacity fell slightly in September, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Nov. 30. Feedstock consumption was down slightly from August, but up significantly from September 2022.

Operable biofuels production capacity was at 23.495 billion gallons per year in September, down 8 MMgy when compared to the 23.503 billion gallons per year of capacity reported for the previous month, but up 2.009 billion gallons per year when compared to the 21.486 billion gallons per year of capacity in place as of September 2022. 

Fuel ethanol capacity was at 17.721 billion gallons per year in September, up 2 MMgy from August, but up 546 MMgy when compared to the same month of last year. 

Biodiesel capacity fell to 2.07 billion gallons per year in September, down 1 MMgy when compared to the previous month and down 22 MMgy when compared to September 2022. 

Capacity for renewable diesel and associated biofuels, including renewable heating oil, renewable jet fuel, renewable naphtha, renewable gasoline and other biofuels and biointermediates, was at 3.704 billion gallons per year in September. That level of capacity has been stable since July. When compared to September of last year, capacity for renewable diesel and associated biofuels was up 1.485 billion gallons per year. 

U.S. biofuel producers consumed 27.417 billion pounds of feedstock in September, down from 28.054 billion pounds in August, but up from 23.932 billion pounds consumed in September of last year. 

Biofuel producers consumed 24.088 billion pounds of corn in September, down from 24.735 tons in August but up significantly when compared to the 21.463 billion pounds consumed in September 2022. Grain sorghum consumption was at 163 million pounds, down from 275 million pounds in August and 341 million pounds in September of last year. 

Biodiesel plants consumed 620 million pounds of soybean oil in September, up from 618 million pounds the previous month and 596 million pounds during the same month of last year. Renewable diesel producers consumed 587 million pounds of soybean oil in September, up from 580 million pounds in August and 337 million pounds in September 2022. 

Corn oil consumption was at 373 million pounds in September, up from 360 million pounds in August and 334 million pounds in September of last year. Canola oil consumption expanded to 285 million pounds in September, up from 278 million pounds the previous month and 132 million pounds in September 2022. An additional 16 million pounds of other types of vegetable oil went to biofuel production in September. 

The EIA earlier this year began to break down corn oil and canola oil consumption by producer type, reporting that biodiesel plants consumed 161 million pounds of canola oil and 74 million pounds of corn oil in September, compared to 174 million pounds and 81 million pounds, respectively, the previous month. Renewable diesel plants consumed 124 million pounds of canola oil and 300 million pounds of corn oil in September, compared to 14 million pounds and 279 million pounds, respectively, the previous month. 

Biofuel producers also consumed 641 million pounds of yellow grease, 508 million pounds of beef tallow, 47 million pounds of white grease, and 17 million pounds of poultry fat in September. Consumption levels were at 607 million pounds, 451 million pounds, 60 million pounds, and 16 million pounds, respectively, in August, and at 438 million pounds, 151 million pounds, 62 million pounds, and 13 million pounds, respectively, in September 2022. Biofuel producers also consumed 19 million pounds of other fats, oils and greases in September, up from 14 million pounds the previous month. The EIA withheld data on consumption of other fats, oils and greases in September of last year to avoid disclosure of individual company data. 

An additional 52 million pounds of recycled feeds and wastes classified as “other” went to biofuel production in September, down from 61 million pounds in August and 66 million pounds in September 2022. The EIA withheld data on other types of feedstocks, including yard and food waste and feedstock not elsewhere specified or identified in order to avoid disclosure of individual company data.