In response to a request for information from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging state agencies to do more to ensure the integrity of imported waste cooking oil (UCO) and tallow for the production of biomass-based diesel (BBD) in accordance with the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

RFA noted that according to CARB data on California’s fuel consumption, the use of biomass-based diesel (BBD) produced from UCO doubles from 2019 to 2023, while the use of BBD produced from tallow triples, and some in the marketplace believe the source and composition of these feedstocks may be in doubt.

The influx of large amounts of foreign feedstocks has dampened the demand and prices of domestic feedstocks, such as corn lees oil produced by the ethanol industry. In addition, the impacts extend beyond the scope of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) programme. Large quantities of imported waste-based BBDs, as well as BBDs produced domestically from imported UCO and tallow (and consumed in California), are also being used to meet traditional renewable fuel use obligations under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, undercutting the demand for ethanol, especially its use in higher blends such as E15 and E85.

Richman said CARB should require BBD producers to chemically analyse imported batches of UCO and tallow and provide documentation to prove that the feedstocks are correctly characterised and that the BBD produced truly meets the carbon intensity score under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

UK-based SAF developer Firefly Green Fuels has signed an agreement with Sanepar, Brazil’s largest water and sanitation company, to increase its access to sustainable feedstocks for biofuel production.

Under the co-operation agreement, Firefly and Sanepar will jointly explore opportunities to convert locally aggregated biosolids (wastewater) into advanced biofuels, including SAF, the report said.

‘Brazil has emerged as a global leader in biofuels, and the partnership with Sanepar solidifies Firefly’s position in this fast-growing market,’ said James Hygate, CEO of Firefly Green Fuels.

‘The MOU reflects our commitment to our mission – to decarbonise aviation and combat climate change. The Brazilian government has recently been actively promoting biofuels through legislation and incentives, and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring to our company and future customers,’ he added.

Firefly also said the partnership with Sanepar is an important milestone that will ensure a stable and diversified feedstock supply for its SAF production, the report said.

Bp Energy Spain has signed a strategic agreement with Spanish agri-food group MIGASA to supply up to 40,000 tonnes per year of non-food industrial waste from vegetable oils over the next ten years.

bp will use these bio-based feedstocks in conjunction with other fossil feedstocks to process renewable fuels at its Castellón refinery, such as HVO for heavy road transport or SAF for aviation.

‘Biofuels can play a key role in decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation, shipping and heavy road transport. When used on a large scale, these fuels can help reduce life cycle emissions in these industries, which is why we are investing and working with customers and partners such as MIGASA to expand our offering of advanced fuels derived from renewable energy sources,’ said Olvido Moraleda, president of bp Spain.

The 10-year renewable agreement is designed to secure bp’s supply of raw materials for the production of biofuels and potentially identify new opportunities for the reuse of vegetable oil waste in the future.

Darling Ingredients Inc. announced on November 13th the development of DarLinQ™, the company’s newest, industry-leading innovation that utilizes advanced sonar and Bluetooth technology to provide continuous, accurate oil level monitoring of waste cooking oil (UCO) storage containers through customized, automated equipment to improve operational efficiency and safety.

Buffalo Biodiesel, a renewable energy company with operations throughout the North East, has announced that there were 96 UCO thefts in seven states between 4 and 10 November.

In most of the thefts, the thieves broke the locks and then used drum pumps to extract the used cooking oil (UCO) from the vats.

Buffalo Biodiesel said they are working with local, county and state law enforcement agencies in each city to bring those responsible to justice.

It is estimated that thousands of gallons of UCO were stolen.

Buffalo Biodiesel operates in 15 states and pays small businesses for UCO.

These suppliers contribute to a more sustainable future by reusing their waste.

This additional revenue helps increase their financial stability.