Bayer and bp Partner to Scale Camelina for Biofuels

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Camelina crop – Bayer photo

Bayer and bp announced the establishment of a long-term strategic alliance to jointly scale the crop camelina, under the brand name newgold™, and commercialize camelina starting in North America.

The alliance aims to further develop a reliable intermediate oilseeds market to help meet the growing demand for biodiesel, renewable diesel (RD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) markets which is estimated to increase almost threefold to 40 billion gallons by 2040. Bayer will utilize its industry leading expertise in seed technology and extensive farmer customer base, while bp brings expertise in fuels and refining.

This announcement follows Bayer’s acquisition of camelina assets which was announced in January 2025. As Bayer ramps up production in preparation of a full-scale launch, testing of long and short season biotypes is underway. Bayer has already introduced newgold™ camelina in the Northern Plains of the US and Southern Saskatchewan and Southern Alberta regions of Canada.

Camelina has a promising lower-carbon intensity for renewable fuel, offering flexibility to grow in both spring and winter, and requires lower inputs. Camelina is winter hardy, offering pod shatter resistance and drought tolerant characteristics allowing it to be grown on idle or fallow land, or in-between traditional main crop rotations, allowing farmers to avoid potential competition with food production.

Camelina crops sold under the newgold™ seed brand will be designed with the goal of acting as a profit multiplier, giving growers the flexibility to decide how and where it fits best in their operation.

aviation biofuels, Bayer, biofuels, feedstocks, renewable diesel, SAF

Ethanol and DDGS Exports Grow in March

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U.S. exports of ethanol increased four percent in March, while dried distillers grains (DDGS) exports grew by 12 percent the same month, according to the latest trade monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association.

March ethanol exports totaled 217.8 million gallons (mg) with Canada and the European Union accounting for about 60 percent of gallons shipped and the remainder distributed across an additional 11 markets. Shipments to Canada increased 23% to 75.1 mg, reinforcing its position as the leading destination for denatured fuel ethanol. Meanwhile, exports to the European Union climbed 18% to a six-year high of 58.8 mg, led by strong demand from the Netherlands, and continued to anchor the market for undenatured ethanol. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 639.8 mg, running 20% ahead of the same period last year.

U.S. exports of DDGS hit a five-month high of 1.03 million metric tons (mt). Shipments to Mexico recovered, rising 22% to 213,575 mt, while exports to Indonesia jumped 61% to 163,702 mt. Exports to South Korea edged 7% lower to 114,345 mt, while shipments to Vietnam increased 44% to 101,428 mt. Colombia imports declined 15% to 71,515 mt. Collectively, these five markets accounted for about two-thirds of total DDGS exports, with the remainder spread across 26 additional destinations. For the first three months of the year, DDGS exports totaled 2.96 million mt, up 10% from the same period in 2025.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, International, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Trade

Ethanol Report on Delayed E15 House Vote

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It was another roller coaster of a week for the ethanol industry, which expected to finally see E15 legislation make it to the floor of the House for a vote, but instead saw it unexpectedly removed and delayed until a promised vote on May 13.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper breaks down how the best laid plans for a vote fell apart at the last minute and what comes next.

Ethanol Report 5-1-26 14:18

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

BASF and Nutrien Partner to Help Farmers Access Low Carbon Biofuel Markets

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BASF and Nutrien have announced a new partnership designed to help farmers gain more value from sustainable farming practices already in use by documenting the carbon intensity (CI) of their crops and connecting them with biorefineries.

Under this collaboration, Nutrien agronomists will work directly with growers to optimize yield potential using practical, on-farm sustainability practices, while BASF digital tools – xarvio® FIELD MANAGER and xarvio BIOENERGY – will help connect growers with biorefineries and document the carbon intensity (CI) of their crops. Together, these tools make it easier for farmers to participate in low-CI biofuel programs, including those supported under the Clean Fuel Production Credit (Section 45Z), and prepare for future low-carbon biofuel markets.

xarvio BIOENERGY is an innovative digital platform that tracks and documents the carbon intensity of corn grown for ethanol production in the United States. It provides growers, agronomists, and biorefineries with a reliable way to verify low-CI grain, helping support biofuel production requirements and market participation. When combined with xarvio FIELD MANAGER, which provides field-level agronomic insights, the platform allows verified CI scores to be viewed in a single dashboard. This simplifies record-keeping and traceability for biorefineries and supports regulatory requirements for low-carbon fuels. The work is part of BASF’s Circalo: Low Carbon Intensity Crops program.

aviation biofuels, BASF, biofuels, Carbon, Ethanol, Ethanol News

U.S. Partners Help Philippines Expand E20 Access

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RFA’s Ed Hubbard (far right) at opening of E20 station in Philippines

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) and member representatives recently joined a USDA Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines to maintain momentum for U.S. exporters of ethanol in that country’s growing economy.

Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ed Hubbard and Eco-Energy Vice President of Global Trade Hagan Rose were among those who took part in the trade mission, which was headlined by the opening of a retail gas station in Manila carrying gasoline blended with 20 percent ethanol (E20).

The Philippines is the U.S.’ largest ethanol trading partner in Southeast Asia, with more than 101 million gallons of U.S. ethanol exported to the country in 2025. The Philippines E10 mandate, that began in 2013, has delivered a win-win outcome for the U.S.-Philippines economic partnership, and total gasoline demand in the country surpassed two billion gallons for the first time last year.

Ethanol production in the Philippines has increased by nearly 450 percent since the inception of the mandate, and U.S. ethanol now accounts for roughly 45 percent of the country’s total ethanol demand. This mutually beneficial trade relationship, forged through ethanol, helps stimulate further investment in the Philippines domestic ethanol industry, as U.S. ethanol imports help lower the average price of ethanol and gasoline in the country.

The Council’s team met with the Ethanol Producers Association of the Philippines (EPAP) afterward to discuss next steps in expanding E20 access to other regions of the country.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, USGC

Farm Bill Passes House Without E15

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House Ag Committee Chair Rep. Thompson

The House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 Thursday with a final vote of 224-200 and without a separate bill or an amendment allowing summer sales of E15.

In a statement commending passage of the farm bill, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) attempted to reassure ethanol stakeholders. “I especially want to thank all parties who were involved in the negotiations that allowed the farm bill to proceed to the floor and secure a future vote on year-round E15. Members of the Biofuels Caucus are tireless champions for rural America, and I look forward to joining them May 13 in advancing that important legislation,” said Thompson.

The bill to amend the Clean Air Act and allow uninterrupted E15 sales without waivers (H.R. 1346) was supposed to be considered as part of a package of five bills, including the farm bill, but it was once again set aside over the concerns of a small group of refineries. “As skyrocketing gas prices persist in the U.S., it’s mind-blowing that Congress continues to let a small handful of refiners hold hostage legislation that simply allows retailers to sell lower-cost E15. ACE will keep helping our bipartisan champions in Congress find a path forward,” said American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings.

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Frustration Over E15 in Congress Continues

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Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)

The House of Representatives debate and votes yesterday on a number of actions, including a farm bill and E15, took all day and accomplished little except to kick the can for E15 legislation down the road another two weeks.

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) expressed her frustration at the end of a long day. “Tonight my friends on the other side of the aisle somehow negotiated to have E15 taken off the table. To me, it’s just unbelievable,” said Craig. “I know there’s probably some deal cut on the side or a gentleman’s agreement or whatever, but we’re going to be back here in two weeks. There’s going to be a lot of procedural movement on this thing. And I’m telling you tonight, I do not believe that we will see a vote on E15 come to this House floor, that standing down on E15 was walking away from our family farmers.”

Listen to Craig’s comments on the House floor.
Rep. Craig house floor 3:38

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper was also frustrated by the lack of progress. “We were greatly disappointed that the vote to ensure year-round availability of lower-cost E15 as a fuel option for America’s drivers has been delayed yet again. Given the strong support year-round E15 enjoys-in both houses of Congress, by members of both political parties, in the White House and executive agencies, and especially among American voters-we expect to see a vote soon-and to see this fuel available nationwide. This legislation is critically important for consumers, for our country’s struggling farmers, and for American energy independence.”

The House is expected to take up the farm bill again this morning.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association

Diverse Coalition Urges E15 Action as Small Faction Opposes

Cindy Zimmerman

A broad coalition of agriculture, biofuels, fuel refiner and retailer interests is urging Congress to include a bipartisan amendment to the farm bill that would allow year-round sales of E15 and provide targeted reforms to the Small Refinery Exemption process under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

In a letter to lawmakers, the coalition said the amendment is a pragmatic, market-based solution that advances consumer choice, strengthens fuel supply and provides durable regulatory certainty.

“Maintaining access to E15 year-round empowers consumers at the pump with more options, particularly during periods of tight supply and high fuel costs, while allowing refiners and retailers to meet the demands of the market,” the organizations wrote.

Among the organizations signing the letter are the American Petroleum Institute, Renewable Fuels Association, and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, and the National Corn Growers Association. However, the same small group of refiners that killed E15 in January continue their opposition to the farm bill amendment.

“There is a tiny minority of major energy corporations – like Delek U.S. Inc., Cenovus Energy, CVR Energy, HF Sinclair, Parr Pacific Holdings and Suncor Energy Inc. – that are masquerading as small refineries to get Renewable Fuel Standard exemptions they don’t need,” said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower. “Their greedy actions are holding up legislation that would help farmers who are struggling during tough economic times.”

The House version of the farm bill passed out of the Agriculture Committee on March 5, 2026, by a bipartisan vote of 34-17. Amendments were due by April 22, with consideration expected to happen next week with a full House floor vote possible by early May.

corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, Renewable Fuels Association

U.S. Biofuels Could Play Key Role in Global Maritime Framework

Cindy Zimmerman

Ahead of the upcoming meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee next week, the American Biofuels Maritime Initiative (ABMI) is calling on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support a central role for American-made biofuels in the future of global maritime shipping policy.

In a letter to Secretary Rubio, ABMI stressed that U.S. leadership is critical to ensuring the discussions on a global maritime fuels framework remain technology-neutral and include commercially available solutions such as ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and bio-LNG.

“With the U.S. leading the way, it is estimated that LNG could supply 50% of the maritime fuel mix by 2050, with bio-LNG contributing an additional 13%.2 Biofuels have a current market share of just ~0.3% of the energy for global maritime shipping, but could move to supply 5% of the global maritime fuel market, equating to a demand increase of 4–5 billion gallons, while simultaneously growing corn demand by 1.5 billion bushels or more.”

The American Biofuels Maritime Initiative is co-chaired by the American Biogas Council and the Renewable Fuels Association and includes National Corn Growers Association, Growth Energy, Marquis, and Roeslein Renewables as members.

“American biofuel producers stand ready to supply new markets and reinforce U.S. leadership in global energy,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “As the International Maritime Organization considers the future of maritime fuels, we appreciate the United States working to advance a technology-neutral approach that fully includes American-made biofuels. Expanding into maritime markets will drive new demand for U.S. farmers, support rural economies, and strengthen our nation’s position as a global energy leader.”

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will meet for its 84th session in person at IMO Headquarters in London (with remote participation enabled) starting on Monday, April 27.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

E15 Introduced as Proposed Farm Bill Amendment

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the Congressional E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council are hoping the farm bill might be the vehicle to finally get E15 legislation on the road to passage.

Reps. Michelle Fischbach, Randy Feenstra, Stephanie Bice, and Adrian Smith introduced amendment to the House farm bill Wednesday which would permit the sale of E15 year-round nationwide and finalize rulemaking to recognize E15 compatibility with existing infrastructure and equipment.

The legislation would also clarify the definition of “small refinery” and beginning in 2028 permit RFS compliance exemptions for reasons including “imminent risk of closure, permanent idling, or conversion to a renewable fuel production facility.”

The Renewable Fuels Association is now urging House members of both parties to support the amendment. “This amendment would permanently allow for year-round, nationwide sales of lower-cost E15 at a time when American consumers are facing high gas prices and our nation’s farmers are in desperate need of new market opportunities. The amendment strikes the right balance for the many stakeholders who came to the table and engaged in good faith with the House council over the past several months, and we believe it is broadly supportable by agriculture, oil refining, biofuels, and fuel retail interests,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said, “Certain refiners have been holding E15 legislation hostage for far too long and Americans are feeling significant pain at the pump. Congress needs to decide if it will finally allow lower-cost E15 to be sold nationwide or let refiners continue to block Americans from saving money at the pump. Ongoing Middle East market instability underscores the urgency of this action, and we look forward to working with Republican and Democratic champions of E15 in both the House and Senate to get this across the finish line.”

However, Agri-Pulse reports independent oil refiners say the latest congressional push to get more U.S. corn ethanol into fuel tanks is dead on arrival.

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA