Biodiesel blends hit highest level in 14 years

At approximately 2.8 million tonnes, the incorporation of biofuels in diesel fuel blends reached its highest level in the past year since the quota regime was introduced in 2007. The diesel fuel standard DIN EN 590 limits the incorporation rate of fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) to a maximum of 7% by volume. According to the standard, HVO can be blended at up to 26%. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) said it saw this as confirmation of its expectations that the greenhouse gas reduction target, which was raised from 4% to 6% for 2020, would be easy to meet. The adequate availability of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) played an important role in this. UFOP has estimated the share of biodiesel in fulfilling the quota requirements at approximately 2.38 million tonnes and that of HVO at approximately 0.42 million tonnes. The association has pointed out that quota requirements were easily met despite the fact that quotas could...