2023 EU soybean output set to increase year-on-year

EU-27 soybean supply is expected to rise again this year, although the soy area is seen to decline compared to 2022. more...

Sharp decline in rapeseed prices

Stock exchange prices for rapeseed have been falling almost continuously since the beginning of the year. Temporarily, they even slid below the level of EUR 400 per tonne for the first time since November 2020. more...

IGC expects 2023/24 dry pea output higher than the previous year

More dry peas are expected to be harvested both in Russia and the US and EU-27 in 2023/24 than the previous season. Consequently, global production will probably also exceed the previous year' level. more...

Bumper soybean crop expected for 2023/24

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects the global soybean harvest to hit a record at 410.6 million tonnes in 2023/24. This would be a rise of 11 per cent or 40.2 million tonnes from 2022/23. more...

Vegetable oil prices slumped to pre-war level

The vegetable oil index declined for the fifth time running in April 2023, reaching a level of 130 points. This was down 1.8 points, or 1.3 per cent, on the previous month. Only prices for palm oil remained unchanged from the previous month, whereas sunflower oil, soybean oil and rapeseed oil traded lower. more...

France remains primary EU-27 rapeseed producer

Both France and Germany will probably harvest more rapeseed in 2023 than a year earlier. The same applies to Lithuania and Hungary. The biggest production increase is expected in Romania. more...

German rapeseed imports unchanged from previous year

According to information published by the German Federal Statistical Office, Germany purchased around 3.7 million tonnes of rapeseed in the period from July 2022 to February 2023. Despite a significantly larger domestic harvest, this was almost the same amount as in the same period a year earlier. Australia provided around 777,730 tonnes, which was nearly twice the previous year’s amount. more...

Rapeseed consumption increasing worldwide

The USDA has raised its estimates for world production and consumption of rapeseed. more...

EU sunflower seed output set to hit record level in 2023

Especially in Romania and Hungary, sunflower seed output is expected to increase significantly compared to the previous year. It is seen to more than offset the anticipated declines in France and Germany. more...

EU Commission forecasts decline in EU soybean area for the 2023 harvest – UFOP welcomes the EU Commission's deliberations on how to develop and advance the European protein strategy

The legume area for the 2023 harvest is projected to see a slight decline. The decrease is especially due to the smaller soybean area. The production area of feed peas and field beans could be expanded. more...

Oilseed processing declined

In the first half of the running marketing year 2022/23, German oil mills processed less rapeseed, sunflower seed and fewer soybeans than in the same period a year earlier. more...

Presumably more sunflower seed in 2023/24

The International Grains Council (IGC) projects a global sunflower seed harvest of 54.8 million tonnes in 2023/24. This would be a rise of 8 per cent or 4 million tonnes from the current season. more...

Argentina no longer among top three soy exporters

The crop forecast for Argentina was lowered again considerably, which also reduced consumption and export estimates. more...

Biofuels - a sustainably safe contribution to greenhouse gas reduction in transport

The forecast on the development of greenhouse gas emissions published today by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) confirms that 9 million tonnes of CO2eq will be exceeded in the transport sector in 2022. Without biofuels, the emission ceiling stipulated in the Federal Climate Protection Act would have been exceeded by a further 11 million tonnes of CO2eq, notes UFOP. This underlines the bridging function of biofuels from sustainably certified cultivated biomass. more...

Biofuels: Sustainable land use instead of land consumption

The discussion about banning internal combustion engines is in full swing at national and European level. Closely related to this is the question of whether the technological focus should be exclusively on electric drives in order to enable sustainable and largely CO2-neutral individual transport. In addition to eFuels, whose production still needs to be developed for years, sustainable certified biofuels are a measure for decarbonising road transport that has already been introduced in the fuel market and are available in relevant quantities. more...

Open letter: EU renewable and agriculture associations: taxpayers' money is used to fund campaigns against the use of sustainable fuel

Associations representing the EU renewable energy and agriculture industries ask the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) to reconsider its support to the non-governmental organisation Transport & Environment (T&E), which has led targeted and misleading campaigns against the use of biomass and sustainable liquid biofuel. more...

2022 biodiesel consumption unchanged

A slight decline of 1 percent to 2.516 million tonnes of biodiesel (from 2.560 million tonnes in 2021) was recorded for the 2022 calendar year. By contrast, the use of bioethanol in blends increased 3 per cent from 1.153 million tonnes to 1.186 million tonnes. more...

EU rapeseed imports 45 per cent above year-ago level

In the current crop year 2022/23, rapeseed imports to the EU-27 climbed significantly. From July through February, member states already imported 4.6 million tonnes from non-EU countries. This was a full 45 per cent rise on the same period a year earlier. The main reason for the large import volume is not only abundant supply of EU rapeseed, but also availability and therefore the prices on the global market. more...

Foreign trade in biodiesel rose to record level

UFOP: GHG quota policy is driving imports and exports of biofuels. In the marketing year 2022, Germany shipped around 2.3 million tonnes of biodiesel abroad, the largest quantity ever. Imports also hit an all-time high of 1.4 million tonnes. The Netherlands remained the primary trading partner, in both directions. more...

Brazilian soybean production set to hit new record high

Brazil and Argentina re-affirm their shares in the global soybean market this crop year. Whereas Brazil is expecting another bumper crop, Argentine soybean output is projected to fall significantly short of the previous year's figure. more...

Increase in rapeseed production reduces import demand

According to information published by the EU Commission, the rapeseed harvest in the EU-27 was significantly larger in 2022 than in 2021. It is pegged at 19.6 million tonnes, which translates to a rise of around 2.5 million tonnes compared to 2021. In other words, the EU harvested the largest crop in five years, although substantial harvest losses had been expected because of the continued dryness and heat. more...

World harvest of dry peas increased

Both in Canada and Russia, the 2022 dry pea harvests were significantly larger than the previous year. Consequently, global output will probably also exceed the previous year's level. UFOP calls on German federal and state governments to provide more support for domestic protein crops. more...

UFOP Study: Models to Assess Indirect Land Use Change not Sufficiently Robust

Controversial debates about the impact of European biofuel policy on cultivation of agricultural commodities in other regions, i.e. indirect land use change (iLUC), have been underway since the target of 10% renewable energy in the transport sector was made legally binding in the Renewable Energy Directive. As early as 2015, Directive 2015/1513/EU, dubbed the “iLUC Directive”, introduced a 7% cap on biofuels from cultivated biomass as a political compromise, as UFOP underlines. That upper limit was initially lowered to 6.5 % in Germany and subsequently further reduced to 4.4 % in 2021. more...

UFOP publishes updated Report on Global Market Supply 2022/2023

The updated issue of the Report on Global Market Supply published by the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Crops (Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. UFOP) once again confirms that in purely arithmetic terms food supply per capita is sufficient to feed the world's population. Nevertheless, more than 800 million people are starving or suffering under malnutrition. The report finds that the causes primarily lie in extreme natural events, inadequate state leadership, corruption and forced migration, along with the implications of climate change. more...

Minor global land requirement by biofuels

Feedstock production for biofuels buffers supply to ensure food security: In 2021, crop plants were grown on more than 1.4 billion hectares worldwide, including grain, oilseeds, protein, sugar and fibre plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts and others. Most of these crops were used directly or indirectly, via livestock feeds, for human nutrition. Only around 8 per cent of the crop area served to supply feedstock for biofuels production. more...

IGC sees global rapeseed area for the 2023 harvest marginally down on last year

Whereas the rapeseed areas in India, China and Australia are expected to decline, those in the EU-27 and Ukraine are seen to increase. more...

Fuels of the Future 2023: Using alternative fuels consistently ensures security of supply and climate change mitigation with immediate effect in the transport sector

Press Conference for the 20th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future 2023”: Sustainable biofuels are currently essential for climate protection in transport: biofuels reduced CO2 emissions in the transport sector by around 11.1 million tonnes in 2021. That figure corresponds to the volume of greenhouse gas savings required to offset the forecast overshoot for 2022 in Germany’s Climate Protection Bill. more...

FAO-price index below previous month's mark

Both the FAO vegetable oil index and the cereal price index eased month-on-month. Nevertheless, record highs were reached year-on-year. The December FAO vegetable oil price index averaged 144.4 points, which was down 6.7 per cent on the previous month' s level. UFOP: sustainable biofuels contribute towards securing food and energy supply more...

More soybeans from India

The USDA sees output and consumption, but also ending stocks and world trade in soybeans, slightly above the previous month's estimate. According to AMI, the upward revision is based on the raised forecast for India, which is seen to harvest around 12 million tonnes of soybeans in the current season. more...

Palm oil still dominant biofuel feedstock in 2021 quota year

With 1.063 million tonnes (2020: 1.414 million tonnes), palm oil was still by far the most important vegetable oil raw material for the production of biodiesel and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in the quota year 2021 for offsetting against the GHG quota obligation. According to the evaluation report 2021 published in December 2022 by the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE), 1.318 million t of the raw materials certified under EU law (RED II) came from Asia. Among these, palm oil dominated with 0.992 million t. more...

Significantly fewer soybeans from Brazil

Soybean is the most important oilseed crop imported to the European Union, ahead of rapeseed. EU-27 imports in the first four and a half months of the running marketing year amounted to just less than 4.9 million tonnes. In the same period of the 2021/22 season, imports were around 900,000 tonnes larger. more...

Record year of oilseed production

According to current USDA estimates, global output of oilseeds in the crop year 2022/23 is set to hit a peak of around 644.4 million tonnes, which would be up around 7 per cent year-on-year. With that, the current forecast is slightly more cautious than the previous estimate. more...

DEUTZ approves engines for HVO biofuel

December 12, 2022 – With immediate effect, DEUTZ is approving its entire TCD engine portfolio for use with alternative diesel fuels. This means that paraffinic diesel fuels such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) can now be used to run all DEUTZ engines that meet the EU Stage V emissions standard, including the TCD 5.2 series. more...

Extreme dryness diminished yield potential of EU sunflowers

In the EU-27, the 2022 harvest of sunflowerseed came in considerably lower than 2021 due to extreme dryness. It was also short of the long-term average. more...

BLE: 11.1 million tonnes of CO2 saved by biofuels in 2021

For the time being, sustainably certified biofuels remain the most important option for decarbonising the transport sector. This was emphasised by the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) after the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) announced its evaluation of the sustainability certificates for offsetting against the GHG quota obligation. The average GHG reduction of the biofuels used of 84 % again confirmed the successful efficiency competition within the GHG quota system. more...

Summer crops with sharp declines in yield

UFOP: make arable farming strategy visible! Yields of both soybeans and sunflowerseed were substandard in Germany in 2022 due to poor growing conditions during the summer months. more...

IGC estimates global 2022/23 rapeseed harvest higher than previous year

According to recent information published by the International Grains Council (IGC), world rapeseed production will likely exceed the previous year's level by 15 per cent. For the 2022/23 marketing year, the IGC sees consumption and international trade volume at a record level. Global rapeseed stocks are seen to rise considerably at the same time. more...

Germany key rapeseed oil supplier to the EU

Shipments of German rapeseed oil declined in the 2021/22 marketing year, following three consecutive years of considerable growth. Exports were not so much to third countries, but more to EU neighbour countries. At just less than 1.1 million tonnes, Germany exported just about 22 per cent less rapeseed oil in 2021/22 than in the previous season. Nevertheless, exports exceeded the volume of the 2019/20 marketing year by 13 per cent. more...

UFOP publishes progress report "Biodiesel & Co. 2021/2022"

The status report "Biodiesel & Co 2021/2022" published by UFOP provides an overview of the current legal framework in Germany and also takes into account national initiatives for legal changes, such as the originally feared lowering of the 4.4 % cap for biofuels from cultivated biomass. This initiative of the Federal Environment Ministry is currently off the table. However, at the end of November an intensive discussion will begin on the national biomass strategy currently presented by the German government. This strategy provides for prioritising the material use of cultivated biomass. more...

Diesel fuel consumption reached three-year high

The use of diesel fuel reached its highest level since October 2019 at 3.1 million tonnes in August. more...

Global vegetable oil production set to hit another record high

Global output of vegetable oils is set to increase to new record highs in the 2022/23 crop year. Production of both rapeseed and soybean oil as well as palm and sunflower oil will rise. more...

IGC: more sunflowerseed from America

Whereas poor growing conditions in the EU-27 limited yields, the US and Argentina in particular are expected to bring in a significantly larger sunflowerseed harvest. more...

Canada's rapeseed harvest not yet back to old size

The 2022 Canadian crop far exceeds the previous year's volume, which was reduced by drought, but nevertheless remains smaller than average. more...

EU rapeseed imports up 40 per cent on previous year

Year-to-date EU-27 rapeseed imports significantly exceed year-earlier levels – despite a considerably larger EU rapeseed harvest than the previous year. more...

Comment: Cornerstones for a National Biomass Strategy (NABIS)

In a joint press release, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection have announced the key points of the "Biomass Strategy" announced in the coalition agreement. more...

International Grains Council (IGC) has lowered soybean forecast, but nevertheless sees ending stocks to rise

The International Grains Council (IGC) has estimated global supply of soybeans to be lower, but still at a record level. Although demand for soybeans continues to grow all round the world compared to the previous year, supplies are seen to grow even stronger than previously expected. more...

German biodiesel exports at a high level

Foreign trade in biodiesel is poised to increase in 2022. In the first half year, exports climbed 27 per cent and imports as much as 75 per cent. more...

EU legume harvest to be standard

EU output of legumes from the 2022 crop is expected to exceed the previous year's figure by 4 per cent but remains in line with the average of recent years. Field peas and field beans are set to see the biggest increase. more...

Oilseed meal prices continued at high levels

Whereas demand for spot rapeseed meal was only sporadic, interest in longer-term futures was clearly stronger. more...

More biodiesel consumed in the first half of 2022

In the first half of 2022, the use of biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil for blending amounted to around 1.23 million tonnes. This translates to a 6.3 per cent rise on the same period 2021. more...

Press Release "Deutsche Bahn": Greener on the road in regional transport: DB Regio relies on biofuel

The Deutsche Bahn (DB) is gradually converting diesel locomotives to biofuel (HVO), emphasising this conversion as an immediate measure for climate protection and thus the "bridging function" of biofuels until all routes are fully electrified. The UFOP uses this example to underline the position of the "bridging function" of biofuels especially from cultivated biomass. With their cultivation and yield potential, these raw materials also serve as a "supply buffer" for the food and feed supply from domestic or European cultivation. more...

Brazilian soybean crop set to hit record level in 2023

In view of the expansion in production area and positive harvest outlooks, Brazilian exports are likely to exceed the previous year's level significantly. more...

Global rapeseed harvest to reach new record high

With Russia and Australia anticipated to see a larger harvest, global 2022/23 rapeseed production will likely hit a new record. The USDA expects world rapeseed output to rise to a new record level of 82.5 million tonnes. more...

EU trade in oilseeds and by-products, July 2022 and 2021 compared / Sharp rise in EU imports of sunflowerseed

According to information published by the EU Commission, foreign trade in rapeseed and sunflowerseed has changed, but less so than expected. The changes were triggered by the severe curtailment of the export potential of Ukraine, the primary supplier of oilseeds, oilseed meal and especially sunflower oil. As current information shows, volumes coming from Ukraine were larger than projected. In other words, there can be no talk of a general slump in shipments. more...

Increase in EU sunflower area neutralised by poor yields

The war in Ukraine and the associated shortage of sunflower oil motivated many farmers in the European Union to sow more sunflowers in the spring of 2022. However, the initially positive harvest prospects cannot be sustained due to the dryness in many parts of Europe. more...

Unexpectedly good rapeseed harvest put pressure on prices

Due to increasing supply from the running harvest, spot prices came under growing seasonal pressure. In some regions, yields for wheat and rapeseed were surprisingly good, steadying the downward slide of producer prices. At the same time, low water surcharges and rail transport made delivery to the oil mills more expensive. more...

German rapeseed meal exports in steep decline

German rapeseed meal exports fell 22 per cent short of the previous year's record volume. Main buyers, such as the Netherlands, Spain and France, imported considerably less, whereas Denmark, Finland and Switzerland ordered more. more...

Australia is the EU's primary rapeseed supplier in 2021/22

At 5.3 million tonnes, EU-27 rapeseed imports from non-EU countries fell just less than 500,000 tonnes short of the previous year's volume. Canada, the main supplier, lost much of its importance due to a small harvest. By contrast, Australia increased its market share considerably. However, the rise was not big enough to offset the decline in deliveries from Ukraine. more...

Immediate climate protection programme highlights the dilemma of renewable energies

The UFOP welcomes the immediate measures presented yesterday by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) to permanently reduce greenhouse gases. The immediate measures are necessary because the emissions report of the Federal Environment Agency (Umwelt Bundesamt, UBA) has shown an excess of 3 million tonnes of CO2-eq for the transport sector. more...

EU soybean production 2022 to hit record level

EU-27 soy supply is expected to rise this year again, following an expansion in production area. Italy is seen to record the biggest increase. more...

Unexpected deliveries from Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has limited the country's export opportunities significantly. However, not all commodities from the 2021 crop came to Germany in lower quantities because of this. more...

Prices for rapeseed and wheat on a downward slide

Over the past weeks, producer prices of rapeseed and wheat fell from their plateau level, following the weakening trend on the futures markets. more...

USDA raises soybean production forecast

In its latest monthly report, the USDA raised its global harvest estimate and foreign trade forecast for soybeans for 2022/23. more...

FAO cereal and vegetable oil price indices with contrasting trends

Whereas the FAO cereal price index continued to climb and hit a new record high in May, the vegetable oil price index declined, but still remained well above the previous year's level. more...

EU Commission expects significantly larger grain legume crop

Based on a 6 per cent expansion of legume production area to 2.5 million hectares, the EU Commission expects the 2022 legume harvest in the EU-27 to reach around 6.9 million tonnes. This would translate to a 16 per cent rise year-on-year. The extent of production area would hit a 5-year high. more...

Australia: larger rapeseed area and lower yields expected

Strong market prices as a consequence of tight global rapeseed supply and good seeding conditions are motivating Australian rapeseed growers to expand their rapeseed areas. This assessment is supported by the first report of the Australian Oilseed Federation AOF. more...

EU Commission expects expansion of EU sunflower area

The EU Commission anticipates a significant increase in area for the 2022 harvest to a potential new record. The main reason is the expected expansion in production area in the most important sunflower-producing countries in the EU. more...

EU rapeseed crop 2022 projected at five-year high

Despite previously low rainfall in some regions, the EU Commission expects the German and French rapeseed harvests to be larger than the previous year. more...

Use of oilseed meal in compound feeds declined

The use of oilseed meals from rapeseed and soybeans in feed production has dwindled over the past five years. more...

Biofuels need a holistic development approach instead of a "tank/plate" discussion

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Quota Act is the most important driver for decarbonisation of the transport sector with the increasing GHG reduction commitments until 2030. In view of the war in Ukraine, the ambitious target of a GHG quota of 25 % in 2030 is also a driver to accelerate the orientation of energy supply security towards diverse domestic and European resources, emphasises the UFOP. more...

European 2022/23 oilseed production expected marginally above previous year

EU oilseed production is likely to exceed the previous year's level by only 0.4 per cent in the current crop year, although the oilseed area is expected to rise 5 per cent. The reason is prospective lower yields due to constraints on means of production. more...

UFOP rejects reduction of the cap for biofuels from cultivated biomass

The Federal Environment Ministry's initiative to reduce the so-called cap on biofuels from cultivated biomass has met with incomprehension. UFOP rejects the idea. UFOP emphatically rejects any change to the existing regulation. Behind the utilisation of rapeseed oil for biodiesel is a production and processing structure that has grown over decades and is now closely networked with other branches of industry, including the food industry. more...

Call for papers: Fuels of the Future 2023

The German Bioenergy Association (BBE) together with UFOP, the German Bioethanol Industry Association (BDBe), the Biogas Association (FvB) and the German Biofuel Industry Association (VDB ) invite experts from business, science, politics and practice to actively help shape the congress program with lectures. Start-ups are also cordially invited to contribute their input and share their knowledge. more...

Rapeseed prices reached unprecedented heights

Prices for both rapeseed and soybeans have been flying high since the beginning of the year. Rapeseed recently closed in the four-digit range for the first time, while soybeans also hit a record high. more...

Global rapeseed supply/demand balance with marginal adjustments

The USDA currently estimates global rapeseed production for the running crop year 2021/2022 at 71.18 million tonnes, up 60,000 tonnes from the previous month's forecast. According to investigations conducted by the Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH), this would only be down 2.43 million tonnes on the previous crop year. In the European Union in particular, rapeseed output is likely to be larger than previously expected. more...

Vegetable oil prices reached all-time high

The generally tense supply situation in the international oilseed market and historic record levels in the futures markets have fuelled prices of the major vegetable oils in the German market. more...

International Grains Council (IGC) expects significant decline in sunflower area in the 2022/23 season

According to recent information published by the International Grains Council (IGC), the global acreage of sunflowers is set to shrink 7.2 per cent in 2022/23. Ukraine, in particular, is likely to see a significant decline in acreage as a result of the war. more...

International Grains Council (IGC) cut soybean supply & demand significantly

In anticipation of large declines in yield in South America, the International Grains Council (IGC) lowered its forecast of global soybean production. Consumption, ending stocks and world trade were also forecast down. more...

Fact check: Biofuels as an indispensable component of security of supply

The Black Sea region is of great importance for the global supply of agricultural commodities such as wheat, maize, sunflower, rapeseed and soya. The war in Ukraine affects important agricultural markets; this is reflected in the rise in quotations and has an impact on all sectors of the agricultural and food industry. more...

Private households account for 2 per cent of total German rapeseed oil consumption

German private households bought around 220,000 tonnes of edible oil in 2021. Their preference was for rapeseed oil, with a market share of 37 per cent, followed by sunflower oil, 30 per cent, and olive oil, just less than 19 per cent. more...

Ukraine is the top supplier of rapeseed to the EU

The absence of deliveries from the Black Sea region is expected to severely exacerbate the global scarcity of available rapeseed. The running crop year is characterised by tight supply already. more...

Ukraine currently accounts for 86 per cent of European sunflower oil imports

The by far largest supplier of sunflower oil to the EU-27 is Ukraine. Bombed and blockaded ports, an export freeze and failure to make sowings for this year's harvest are likely to cut supply in the current crop year noticeably. more...

Foreign trade in biodiesel declines

Compared to the record levels shown in the quota year 2020, foreign trade in biodiesel declined only slightly in 2021. In both years, the export surplus was around 1 million tonnes. According to the UFOP, increases in exports were not to be expected in 2020, because the cap on greenhouse gas emission was raised from 4 per cent to 6 per cent that obligation year and the transfer of quotas from previous years was not possible. more...

Biofuel Associations: DUH Denies the Positive Climate Record of Sustainable Biofuels

The German biofuel associations UFOP and German Bioethanol Industry Association (BDBe) consider that the paper on “agrofuels” published today by Environmental Action Germany (DUH) adopts a completely erroneous position in questioning sustainable biofuels’ officially certified contribution to climate change mitigation. more...

UFOP publishes fifth Report on Global Market Supply: Move "Farm to Fork" strategy towards sustainable intensification instead of extensificatio

The implementation of the EU Commission's "Farm to Fork" strategy will lead to an extensification across the board, an increase in import demand and shift effects in the global flow of goods. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) has highlighted these concerns on the occasion of publishing the fifth updated edition of its Report on Global Market Supply. more...

More domestic rapeseed processed

The share of imported rapeseed in rapeseed processing by German oil mills declined in the first half of the 2021/22 season. The share of domestic batches increased correspondingly. more...

Increased rapeseed production reduces import demand

EU-27 rapeseed production in 2021/22 exceeded the previous year's output. Consumption is estimated lower, leading to reduced import demand. more...

UFOP published JFRG Band 32 - Position paper biofuel research

Drive climate protection forward now with sustainable and greenhouse gas-optimised biofuels and at the same time raise their potential through strategic research funding; this is, in brief, the message of the position paper published by the UFOP. Biofuels are the only alternative so far for replacing fossil fuels in existing vehicle fleets. The UFOP underlines the statement of climate scientists that time is running out and that political action must therefore be geared to this. more...

Soybean record crop in Brazil presumably smaller than expected

Brazil and Argentina are set to maintain their shares in the global soybean market this crop year. The soybean harvests both in Argentina and in Brazil are expected to be larger, although poor growing conditions dampen prospects of a bumper crop. more...

International Grains Council sees global rapeseed cultivation for the 2022 harvest at a record high

In its second projection of global rapeseed cultivation for the 2022/23 marketing season, the International Grains Council (IGC) has raised its estimate to a record level. The reason is considerable price increases and buoyant demand in the current crop year. more...

“Fuels of the Future 2022”: Prepare to embrace all technology options!

During the five-day 19th Conference on Renewable Mobility, everything revolved around new trends and possible applications for renewable fuels. The five organising associations from the German biofuel industry welcomed over 500 participants to the digital conference. more...

Global soybean supply and demand with significant adjustments

The continued dryness in South America led the USDA to revise the forecast of global soybean production considerably downward. Expectations for world trade, processing and season-ending stocks were adjusted accordingly. more...

"Fuels of the Future": Go-ahead given for the five-day online congress

From 24 to 28 January, more than 60 speakers will discuss measures to achieve climate protection goals at the 19th "Fuels of the Future" congress for renewable mobility. The innovative use and technical further development of renewable fuels in the mobility sector will be at the centre of the lectures and discussion rounds. more...

Only 7 percent of global crops is used for biofuels production

In 2020, 1.4 milliards ha of crops such as grain, oilseeds, protein, sugar and fibre plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts and others were grown worldwide. Most of this produce is used as food. Only around 7 per cent go into biofuels production. more...

New list: These commercial vehicles are allowed to fill up with biodiesel

A new list shows the trucks, buses, engines, and other commercial vehicles that have been approved by the manufacturers to run on higher blends of biodiesel. They can be fuelled with a proportion of 10 percent (B10), 20 percent (B20), 30 percent (B30) or pure biodiesel (B100). more...

Proportion of bio-components in diesel at a record high in 2020

At around 3.45 million tonnes, the quantity of biofuel added to diesel in quota year 2020 was approximately 1 million tonnes higher than the previous record value from 2019. For the UFOP, this outcome makes it clear that the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction obligation, increased on 1 January 2022 to 7% and rising to 25% by 2030, is achievable. more...

FAO vegetable oil price index 2021 hit new annual high

The FAO price indices of vegetable oil and cereals in November 2021 reached an all-time high at 185 and 141 points, respectively. In December, the indices declined slightly. more...

US shipped less soybeans to the EU-27

Soybean is the most important oilseed crop imported to the European Union, ahead of rapeseed. Soybean imports over the first five months of the running crop year amounted to around 5.8 million tonnes, just about 1 million tonnes less year-on-year. There were big changes among supplying countries. more...

Record year of oilseed production

According to current USDA estimates, global production of oilseeds in the crop year 2021/22 is set to hit a peak of around 627.6 million tonnes, which would be up around 4 per cent year-on-year. After recent expectations of an output of 628 million tonnes, the current forecast is slightly more cautious. more...

Ready for take-off - Fuels of the future 2022 - Navigator for sustainable mobility

The climate crisis and the significant increase in energy prices in all mobility sectors show that bioenergy and all other renewable energies will be important topics for the coming years. With regard to the dependency on fossil fuels, it is no longer just about climate protection, but also about more independence based on the expansion and potential increase of renewable energy sources and carriers. more...

Join the 19th International Online Conference “Fuels of the Future” in January 2022!

EU Green Deal, Fit-for-55 and climate legislations: How International Experts on Energy, Transportation and Fuels Come are Shaping the Future of Mobility? The upcoming “Fuels of the Future” conference, to be held online from January 24th to 28th 2022, is the global key event on both current discussions and the future agenda for the energy and mobility transition. more...

Rapeseed oil exports reached record level

German rapeseed oil exports increased again in the 2020/21 crop year, following a significant decline in 2017/18 and 2018/19. In fact, with total exports of rapeseed oil amounting to 1.3 million tonnes, they even outstripped the peak of 1.2 million tonnes in the 2016/17 marketing year. more...

Comfortable soybean supply

Global soybean production could exceed consumption for the second year running. This could led to a rise in ending stocks. more...

Top yields of German soybeans

According to the German Federal Statistical Office, around 104,000 tonnes of soybeans were harvested in Germany in 2021. This was the largest quantity ever. more...

UFOP Chairman welcomes coalition's ambition on climate protection and calls for inclusion of biofuels

The Chairman of the UFOP, Detlef Kurreck, welcomes the aim of the new government coalition to protect the climate. Detlef Kurreck welcomes the goal of the new government coalition to place climate protection at the centre of government action. However, in order to tackle the major challenges, especially in the transport sector, a technology-open approach is necessary, which also includes the further development of the combustion engine using sustainably produced biofuels. This would also strengthen the domestic protein supply. more...

World harvest of dry peas declined

The drought that hit North America has severely affected the production of dry peas this season. After all, the US is one of the top five producers and exporters, along with Canada. more...

Global vegetable oil production set to reach new record highs in 2021/22

Global production of vegetable oils continues to increase in the 2021/22 crop year to reach new record highs. An expected decline in rapeseed oil output can be more than offset by production increases in palm, sunflower and soybean oil. more...

Not a EU sunflowerseed record crop after all

In the EU-27, the 2021 harvest of sunflowerseed was considerably larger than the previous year. It also far exceeded the long-term average. However, the 2017 record level was not topped. more...

Policy Information Biofuels

What does the German public think about biofuels? With a view to answering that question, we commissioned the market research institute KANTAR to collect and evaluate opinions on biodiesel, bioethanol and biomethane. The results are clear: the vast majority not only likes biofuels, but would even favour incorporating higher levels into blends than is currently the case. At the same time, the respondents found it important that these biofuels are sustainable. Download

Percentage of biodiesel contained in diesel fuel reached annual high

The percentage of biodiesel contained in diesel fuels rose to 8.3 per cent in August, the highest level in ten months. more...

EU rapeseed imports fell below year-ago level

This year's rapeseed harvest was larger than that of 2020. For this reason, the EU-27 has needed fewer imports from third countries to date. more...

Another increase in EU legume crop

Production of legumes in the EU-27 for the 2021 harvest increased significantly by 10 per cent. The biggest growth was recorded for sweet lupins. more...

Surprisingly high ending stocks beat down US soybean prices

The quarterly report on US soybean stocks published at the end of September took market participants by surprise. As a result, soy prices at the Chicago stock exchange tumbled. more...

UFOP published Status Report

Biofuel policy at national and European level is becoming increasingly complex, as a result of rising demands also on the quality of the sustainability requirements to be demonstrated. more...

Prices for oilseed meals stepped up

Whereas there was occasional demand for spot supplies of oilseed meal, interest in longer-term futures was small. Feed compounders also bought less. more...

Increase in sweet lupins and soybeans

Germany is set to bring in a bumper crop of legumes this year. The main reason is the sometimes significantly larger area planted, because not all legumes delivered good yields. more...

Rapeseed production to reach new lows

The USDA again lowered its forecast for global rapeseed supply in its latest outlook – to an unexpectedly large extent. more...

German biodiesel exports remain above average

Foreign trade in biodiesel is poised to decline in 2021. In the first half year, exports already plummeted 18 per cent and imports as much as 43 per cent. The supply and demand balance shows an export surplus of 503,460 tonnes, which is up 31 per cent year-on-year. Whereas exports exceeded the long-term average of 923,200 tonnes, imports dropped below the average level of 559,000 tonnes. more...

Less biodiesel consumed in the first half of 2021

The amount of diesel fuel consumed by road traffic was lower in the first half of the year 2021 than it was in the 2020 reference period. Accordingly, the use of biodiesel dropped by one fifth. On average, biodiesel was blended in at 7.1 per cent, which compares to 8.1 per cent in the year-earlier period. more...

Pulse prices one fourth up on previous year

The 2021/22 season has started off with clearly higher prices for feed peas, field beans and soybeans grown in Germany. Field crops are yielding significantly higher prices than the previous year as the season starts. This also applies to pulses for grain use. Support also is coming form the global market, where prospects are bullish. more...

DEUTZ updates Technical Circular for fuels and biofuels

Berlin, 31 August 2021 - Deutz AG has updated the Technical Circular for the use of diesel or biodiesel in DEUTZ engines. On 36 pages, comprehensive information is provided on all conditions to be observed for the use of diesel fuel (B7), B20 / B30 and biodiesel as pure fuel (B100). more...

Marketing of new-crop rapeseed meal in progress

Not only did byers expect the marketing season for by-products of new-crop rapeseed to start earlier than it did. They also hoped for more substantial price concessions. But the commodity remained in short supply. more...

Rising rapeseed prices at time of harvest

Delayed harvests in Europe with average results that did not always live up to expectations and dull harvest prospects in Canada which suggest that global supply is set to remain tight are currently driving producer prices for rapeseed. more...

Another small rapeseed harvest in Great Britain

Great Britain was the fourth largest rapeseed producer and hardly relied on imports during its membership in the European Community. This has changed since the small 2020 harvest and there are no signs of a turnaround in the 2021/22 season. more...

Record harvest forecasts for EU soybeans and sunflowerseed

UFOP: The oilseed harvest in the EU-27 is likely to see yet another rise in 2021. The main reason is prospects of bumper crops of soybeans and sunflowerseed. The rapeseed harvest is also seen to increase. more...

German Bioenergy Association (BBE) on the revamped 2022 Climate, Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines

Commenting on the current revision of the EU’s Climate, Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines, Udo Hemmerling, German Bioenergy Association (BBE) Board Member noted, “With the Green Deal, the European Climate Law and the ‘Fit for 55’ package, the EU is not only setting the framework for climate change mitigation in Europe but is also setting the pace for ambitious climate protection in industrialised countries around the globe. The draft for the new Climate, Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines (CEEAG) will provide EU Member States with important guidance when it comes to expanding measures for renewable energies and climate protection. more...

Rapeseed meal exports reached record volume

UFOP: European rapeseed for biodiesel production safeguards supply with feed protein more...

Heat in Canada reduces rapeseed supply

Prospects of tight rapeseed supply at the world's biggest rapeseed exporter has driven up prices also in the EU, a major recipient of Canadian commodity. more...

Rapeseed imports hit record level

EU-28 rapeseed imports from third countries reached a new record high at approximately 6.5 million tonnes in the 2020/21 marketing year. This is a result of the significant rise in demand for rapeseed oil and rapeseed meal. Ukraine, the main supplier, lost much of its importance due to a small harvest. more...

Linseed production area increased significantly

Unfavourable growing conditions in the autumn of 2019 led to a considerable growth in summer crops in 2020. Linseed was one of the crops seeing a significant rise in production area. more...

UFOP emphasises the role model function of sustainability certification for biofuels

Berlin, 7 July 2021. - The European Commission has announced the launch of the “Fit for 55” package on 14th July 2021. This will also include proposals for a new amendment to the Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001/EC (RED II). Overall, the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e.V. (UFOP) welcomes the initiative to implement the Green Deal. In a current position paper, the association emphasises the exemplary function of sustainability certification for biofuels and addresses demands on politics. more...

Soybean area in the EU-27 is growing

The production area for soybeans in the EU-27 has again been expanded in almost all member states in 2021. more...

Significant increase in rapeseed processing

Rapeseed processing in Germany rose considerably in the first four months of 2021 compared to the previous year. Domestic rapeseed accounted for a major share of the increase. more...

GHG quota law strengthens demand for rapeseed

With the law on the „Further Development of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Quota“ passed in the German Bundestag on May 21, 2021, an ambitious increase in the GHG reduction obligation from 6% today to 25% in 2030 was agreed. more...

FAO vegetable oil price index at 13-year high

The FAO vegetable oil index has been rising steadily for twelve months, reaching the second highest level in June 2021 since records began in 1990. Similarly, the cereal price index has increased to an eight-year high. more...

EU Commission forecasts larger harvest from stable area under sunflower cultivation

The EU Commission estimates the EU sunflower area for harvest in 2021 at the same level as the previous year. more...

Australia is now a major rapeseed supplier

Whereas Canadian rapeseed imports have lost pace since January, imports of Australian rapeseed to the German market have increased. more...

Global rapeseed supply remains tense

The USDA expects increases in rapeseed harvests for the most important rapeseed-producing countries in the 2021/22 marketing year. Nevertheless, global supply remains tight. more...

Bundestag clears the way for more climate protection in transport

Berlin, 21.05.2021. The UFOP welcomes the German Bundestag's decision to increase the greenhouse gas reduction obligation for fuels. The law provides for an even increase from 6% today to 7% in 2022 and to 25% in 2030. more...

EU soybean area hits record level

According to current figures published by the EU Commission, the biggest increases in 2021 soybean production are recorded in Italy and Romania, two major soy-producing countries. However, the soybean area in Germany has also risen strongly. more...

Germany remains the most important rapeseed producer in the EU

Despite unfavourable weather conditions in Germany, the EU Commission expects the 2021 German rapeseed harvest to be larger than a year earlier. The outlook for France and Poland is quite different. more...

Vegetable oil prices continue to rise

Generally tense supply on the international oilseed market with mostly strong prices has fuelled prices of the most important vegetable oils. more...

Forward prices on a healthy upward trend

Prices for both rapeseed and soybeans have been flying high for several months. Rapeseed recently closed at a record level. more...

EU biodiesel imports dropped considerably

Following a sharp decline in biodiesel imports from Argentina to the EU-27 in 2019, a major slump has been recorded in deliveries from Malaysia and Indonesia for 2020. more...

EU legume production is growing at a low level

The UFOP sees the EU Commission's current estimate of the area planted to grain legumes for harvest in 2021 as confirmation of its expectations that the cultivation of protein plants continues to receive inadequate funding policy support, considering the existing potential of domestic protein supply and improvement of the GHG balance and biodiversity in arable farming. more...

Larger global rapeseed harvest expected for 2021/22

According to the latest estimates of the International Grains Council (IGC), slightly more rapeseed will likely be harvested worldwide in the upcoming crop year. Consumption is seen to remain virtually unchanged. more...

Canadian canola oil exports to the EU increased

Canada exported more canola oil in 2020 than in previous years. As usual, the largest volumes went to the US and China, but the EU-27 also reappeared as a buyer. more...

More imported rapeseed processed

The share of foreign rapeseed in rapeseed processing by German oil mills was at the highest level ever in the first half of the 2020/21 season. This was despite the fact that feedstock availability had increased due to the larger 2020 rapeseed harvest. more...

UFOP publishes the 4th report on global market supply

Biofuels from cultivated biomass are an important mobilisation reserve for the global food supply. So emphasised Detlef Kurreck, Chairman of UFOP, during the presentation of the UFOP report on global market supply, pointing to the bridging function of cultivated biomass biofuels. These fuels are a currently and globally available contribution to the decarbonisation of the transport sector. This is precisely why the European Union must live up to its oft-emphasised role as pioneer. For this, the sustainability standards to be complied with throughout the entire commodity chain would have to be further developed in an appropriate manner. more...

FAO global vegetable oil and cereal price indices rose sharply

Firm prices on the international markets for palm, soybean, rapeseed and sunflower oil drove up the FAO price index for vegetable oil. The Cereal Price Index also increased strongly. more...

Rapeseed prices at multi-year high

Limited supply of rapeseed both in Germany and abroad continued to drive prices up. Rapeseed prices in Germany have been on the increase almost continuously since the crop year began. In February 2021, their rise was especially sharp. more...

2020 biodiesel sales hit record high

At approximately 3.025 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. In providing this information, UFOP refers to statistics published by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) at the beginning of this week. more...

German biodiesel exports hit a new high

With exports amounting to approximately 2.33 million tonnes and an export surplus of approximately 0.9 million tonnes, Germany underlines its importance for the production and marketing of biodiesel in the European Union. This has been stated by the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) with reference to current official statistics. more...

Increased rapeseed production reduces import demand

EU-27 rapeseed production in 2020/21 exceeded the previous year's output. Consumption is estimated lower, leading to reduced import demand. Nevertheless, ending stocks are expected to grow. more...

CO2 emissions declined only in a few countries

The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP) has emphasised that the European Union is set to live up to its leadership role in protecting the climate and must therefore push on climate protection on an international scale. The EU's CO2 emissions declined 25 per cent compared to 1990. more...

Advancing the greenhouse gas reduction commitment more boldly

Berlin, 01 February 2021. Brazil and Argentina are set to maintain their shares in the global soybean market this crop year. Whereas Argentina is expected to harvest slightly fewer soybeans, Brazil is anticipated to bring in a larger crop. more...

Brazil expects bumper soybean crop

Brazil and Argentina are set to maintain their shares in the global soybean market this crop year. Whereas Argentina is expected to harvest slightly fewer soybeans, Brazil is anticipated to bring in a larger crop. more...

World harvest of dry peas increased

Whereas Canadian farmers likely harvested more dry peas in the current crop year, farmers in other key dry pea-producing countries recorded sharp declines, which were substantial in some cases. However, the global dry pea harvest is set to be larger than the previous year because increases outweigh declines. more...

Austria ends crediting of biofuels from palm oil as of 01 July 2021

Berlin, 26 January 2021: The accounting of biofuels with a high risk of indirect land use change (iLUC) will end in Austria on 1 July 2021. This exclusion is provided for in the amended legal provision of the Fuel Ordinance of 25 January 2021. The Austrian Federal Government is thus making early use of the authorisation in Delegated Regulation (EU)2019/807 under the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/ 2019), RED II. more...

International Conference on Renewable Mobility: Broad spectrum of technology options shapes experts’ discussions on increased climate change mitigation in the transportation and haulage sectors

Today marks the end of the 18th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future 2021”. Attendance levels, with a total of 560 participants, underscore the importance of this annual conference as one of the top national and international communication platforms for the entire fuel sector, the automotive industry, professional associations, the world of science and, last but not least, for policy-makers. more...

EU soybean imports from US dwindled

Since the partial agreement was reached in the trade dispute with China, the US has ramped up soybean shipments to China. As a result, US imports to the EU tailed off. more...

International Conference on Renewable Mobility: Deploy all technology options to boost climate change mitigation in the transport sector!

On 18th January 2021, kicking off the 18th Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future 2021” – this year in digital format –, speakers from the German Bioenergy Association (BBE), the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the German automotive industry, as well as from Europe’s largest motoring association, the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e. V. (ADAC) and from the world of science presented their concepts, strategies and research results for renewable mobility of the future and greater climate change mitigation to 520 conference participants. more...

Soybean prices drove oilseed meal prices

Soybean meal prices in Chicago strengthened considerably over the past several months, leading to a rise in soybean and rapeseed meal prices in the German spot market. At the same time, demand for GMO-free soybean meal was brisk. more...

Sustainable biofuels must be taken fully into account in moving ahead with the greenhouse gas reduction quota

The draft Act transposing the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EC - RED II) that was presented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment in late 2020 was appraised and criticised at the press conference hosted by the organisers of the 18th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future 2021”. The press conference was held in the run-up to the conference in the light of the digital format in which the conference will run this year. more...

No rapeseed methyl ester means noticeably less rapeseed meal

The German and European feed markets benefit significantly from the production of rapeseed-based biodiesel fuels more...

Share of rapeseed oil-based biodiesel increased

UFOP calls for differentiation of eligibility for grants by feedstock type and origin more...

UFOP welcomes agreement between federal ministries on the further development of the GHG quota

Somewhat surprisingly, after long, controversial negotiations, the German government agreed last Friday on key points for the national implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). more...

Global soybean supply set to remain tight

The USDA holds on to its high estimate for Brazilian soybean production in 2020/21. The agency also continues to expect a global record. Nevertheless, these volumes would not cover world consumption. The reason for the decline in stocks is the steady growth in China's import demand for soy. more...

Experts on energy, mobility and transportation fuels come together at the International Conference for Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future 2021”, to be held online from January 18th to 22nd, 2021

The upcoming conference “Fuels of the Future”, which takes place in January 2021, is the global key event to get updated on both the current discussion and future agenda on energy and mobility transition. Like in the previous years, the conference provides important insights into topics regarding renewable mobility and biofuels. more...

Vegetable oil price index hit multi-year high

In November, the FAO vegetable oil price index reached its highest level since April 2014. It was driven by firming prices for all main vegetable oils, especially palm oil. more...

Soybean is the world's most important oilseed crop

According to current USDA estimates, global production of oilseeds in the crop year 2020/21 will be around 597 million tonnes, which is up around 4 per cent year on year. After recent expectations of a record output of 605 million tonnes, the current forecast is slightly more cautious. more...

Scarcity of supply drove rapeseed prices

The rally in rapeseed prices in Paris also reached the German spot market and drove producer prices. For this reason, many farmers marketed their remaining stocks over the past two weeks. Considering the difficult overall environment, the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) sees the development of prices as a glimmer of light for arable farmers. more...

Germans Want More Biofuels in their Vehicles

Two thirds of Germans have a positive attitude towards biofuels, as shown by a recent representative survey. Almost half consider biofuels will be increasingly important for future climate change mitigation. Industry associations call for policies that adequately reflect these findings. more...

EU sunflowerseed crop below average

Despite considerable increases in area, 2020 sunflower output in the EU-27 was smaller than the previous year. In fact, it was significantly short of the long-term average. The reason is large losses in Romania and Bulgaria. more...

Fuels Of The Future 2021: Sustainable biofuels - Biomass potentials between wish and reality

Berlin, November 12, 2020: The impact of the combustion engine, the backbone of mobility, on the environment and climate must be mitigated. Emissions produced by these engines and the virtually unrestrained global use of fossil resources for mobility trigger international criticism in the light of climate change. In the European Union, biodiesel is the most important low-greenhouse-gas fuel for defossilisation of existing fleets through utilisation of existing infrastructure. more...

EU rapeseed imports declined despite smaller harvest

Although this year's rapeseed harvest was smaller than last year's, the EU 27 plus UK has previously imported less rapeseed. more...

Incorporation rate in diesel fuel increased further

UFOP: openness to technology and higher quota obligations would pave the way for more climate protection. more...

Fuels Of The Future 2021: Biodiesel - Research Ensures Continuing Market Presence

Berlin, November 29, 2020: The impact of the combustion engine, the backbone of mobility, on the environment and climate must be mitigated. Emissions produced by these engines and the virtually unrestrained global use of fossil resources for mobility trigger international criticism in the light of climate change. In the European Union, biodiesel is the most important low-greenhouse-gas fuel for defossilisation of existing fleets through utilisation of existing infrastructure. more...

German soybean harvest 2020 hit record level

According to the German Federal Statistical Office, around 94,100 tonnes of soybeans were harvested in Germany in 2020. This was the largest quantity ever. Production grew 12 per cent on the year despite, on average, lower yields and shot up as much as 60 per cent compared to 2018. more...

Soybean prices flying high

Brisk demand from China and dry weather conditions in Brazil have sent soybean prices on a sharp rise. However, the rally could soon be over as harvest pressure in the US increases. more...

E-Fuels – Competitiveness of PtX Fuels: 18th International Conference turns the spotlight on synthetic fuels

Berlin, October 15th, 2020 – Fuels from renewable electricity are coming to the fore as an option when addressing decarbonisation of existing fleets, making this a key topic at the 18th International Conference on Renewable Mobility from 18th to 22nd January 2021. more...

Larger global rapeseed harvest expected in 2020/21

The Australian rapeseed harvest in the 2020/21 crop year will probably be somewhat larger than expected the previous month. The harvest in Germany also exceeds expectations. Consequently, the world's harvest in 2020/21 is set to outstrip the previous year's level after all. more...

Larger EU legume harvest

Not only has the production of field beans increased significantly in the EU-27, but so, too, has that of sweet lupins, dry peas and soybeans. more...

Storage capacity of diesel fuel with 10% biodiesel (FAME)

When up to 10% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is added to diesel fuel, operational reliability is maintained even if the fuel is stored in the vehicle tank for a period of 9 months. This requires a suitable additive to stabilise the fuel mixture. more...

Prices for oilseed meals rose

Whereas German soybean meal prices benefited from increased soybean prices in Chicago, rapeseed meal prices received support from limited supply and steady demand. more...

18th International Conference on Renewable Mobility "Fuels of the Future" from 18th to 22nd January 2021 in Berlin

The 18th International Conference for Renewable Mobility "Fuels of the Future" will take place again from 18th to 22nd January 2021. The conference will be held as a digital event. more...

Sunflower oil more expensive than rapeseed oil

The most important vegetable oils have become more expensive since the Corona restrictions were eased. Especially sunflower oil has risen steeply over the past weeks. more...

Germany stepped up biodiesel exports

German biodiesel exports reached the level of 2 million tonnes for the second year running in 2019/20. Whereas the main buyer, the Netherlands, maintained its purchases virtually steady at the previous year's level, Belgium ramped up its biodiesel imports significantly. more...

Rapeseed oil exports rebounded

Following a decline in German rapeseed oil exports since the 2016/17's peak year, a trend reversal can now be identified for 2019/20. The Netherlands in particular absorbed more, but demand from Denmark and Belgium also picked up. more...

Ukraine delivered largest amount of rapeseed

Germany imported a total of 5.4 million tonnes of rapeseed and field mustard in the 2019/20 season. This was down 7 per cent year-on-year. The main reason was harvest declines in some EU countries that are vital to Germany's supply with rapeseed. more...

Larger area planted with rapeseed for Germany's 2020 crop

According to the German Federal Statistical Office's recent estimate, the area planted in Germany with rapeseed for the 2020 crop year will probably be larger than previously expected. The expansion will also be reflected in harvest figures. more...

UFOP progress report "Biodiesel & Co. 2019/2020" published

Berlin, 6 October 2020: The progress report provides information on national and international biofuel policy issues relevant to the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) in the reporting period. The almost 40-page report is supplemented by comprehensive statistics on national and international biodiesel production, on the current biofuel quota regulations enshrined in law in the member states and by the publication of excerpts from the statistics from the experience and evaluation report of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE). All sources are linked to further information. Download

FAO vegetable oil price index increased yet again

Firm prices for palm, soybean and rapeseed oil drove the FAO vegetable oil price index higher in July. The cereal price index remained virtually unchanged at the previous month's level. more...

Harvest of sunflowerseed expected to hit record high

The oilseed harvest in the EU-27 is likely to see a slight rise in 2020. The main reason for this is the bumper crop of sunflowerseed. more...

Vegetable oil prices under pressure due to Corona

The spread of the coronavirus sent global prices of crude oil and vegetable oil on a downward spiral. more...

Forward prices for rapeseed and soybeans stand up to corona crisis

The restrictions in the wake of the corona crisis generated pressure on rapeseed and soybean prices in the first quarter of the calendar year of 2020. However, prices have firmed since then. more...

UFOP estimates biodiesel sales in 2020 at 2.6 million tonnes

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) estimates the consumption of biodiesel at approx. 2.6 million t for 2020, compared to 2019, this would mean an increase of approx. 0.3 million t. more...

Rapeseed prices exceed year-ago level

The 2020 rapeseed harvest will probably come in below average both in Germany and other EU countries. This has been driving up prices. The previous year's price level has been exceeded by 5 per cent even now. more...

Rapeseed oil remains primary feedstock for German biodiesel production

The 2020 rapeseed harvest will probably once more be lower than average. However, this is not due to shrinking demand, the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) has emphasised, referring to the Germany biodiesel industry's feedstock requirements. more...

Germany raised rapeseed meal exports

From July 2019 to April 2020, Germany exported the largest amount of rapeseed meal in five years. The Netherlands and Spain once more imported the largest amounts for milk production. more...

Biofuels are essential for fulfilling the climate protection targets in the commitment period 2021 to 2030

The German Federal Government’s six month presidency of the Council of the European Union began on 1 July 2020. As a goal of its agenda, the Federal Government stated that it wishes to “work towards climate-friendly, sustainable and affordable mobility”. The biofuel associations welcome this objective and point out that openness to technological ideas and the sustainably available potential of biofuels need to be considered in order to fulfil national climate protection targets. more...

EU-28 rapeseed imports hit record level

EU-28 rapeseed imports from non-EU countries increased substantially in the 2019/20 marketing year. The underlying reason was the decline in EU rapeseed production over recent years. The by far largest supplier was Ukraine. more...

EU-27 plus UK imported less palm oil

The EU member states plus UK imported somewhat less palm oil in the marketing year that has now nearly ended than a year earlier. The Netherlands and Spain saw especially steep declines in imports. more...

Field bean area on the increase

German farmers planted a larger area of land with field beans for the 2020 harvest. Especially in Baden-Wuerttemberg, the area has been considerably expanded. more...

EU-27 expands soybean production

Soybean production in the EU-27 continues to grow further in 2020. The reason is significant increases in area in the most important EU member states. more...

More domestic rapeseed processed

German rapeseed processing saw a slight rise in March 2020. The proportion of domestic rapeseed increased considerably. more...

More sunflowerseed in the EU-27

Although the sunflower area in Romania, the largest sunflower producer in the EU-27, is expected to decline compared to the previous year, the EU Commission projects an increase in overall output in the EU. more...

EU Commission’s Farm-to-Fork strategy: UFOP misses economically sustainable perspective

Berlin, 20 May 2020. “This is not what perspective and collaboration look like.” This is how UFOP (Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen) summarises its criticism of the “Farm-to-Fork Strategy” presented today by the European Commission. Strategies focus on goals which shall be achieved collectively. more...

Expectations for larger world rapeseed harvest

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects global availability of rapeseed to be higher in the upcoming crop year than the current crop year. At the same time, the USDA anticipates rapeseed consumption to decline and ending stocks to increase as a result. more...

FAO vegetable oil price index falls to eight-month low

Decreases in prices of palm oil, soybean oil and rapeseed oil show through more strongly in the FAO price index than do increases in asking prices for sunflower oil. more...

EU Commission expects larger legume production

The area planted with legumes in the EU-27 in the 2020/21 marketing year is seen to grow. The biggest increase is expected in soybean plantings. more...

EU oilseed area rose slightly

In the EU-27, more land has been planted with oilseeds for the 2020 crop than the previous year. The increase is mainly due to the expansion in rapeseed and soy area. more...

Rapeseed imports remain buoyant

Australia and Ukraine contributed remarkable quantities to German rapeseed imports in February 2020. These imports reached a record high level. more...

Oil mills pay more for 2020 crop

Expectations of another sub-standard rapeseed harvest in Germany are the driving force behind oil mills' efforts to procure supplies for the coming season well in advance. However, producers are not very ready to sell. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP), taking a closer look at the 2020 sowings, has warned about stagnating or declining rapeseed supply from German and European production. more...

Rapeseed prices climbed

Prices for rapeseed in Paris tended to firm over the past three weeks, uncoupling from recently weaker soybean prices. more...

Corona crisis – Agricultural trade at its limits

Berlin, 07 April 2020. The issue of secure market supply is currently a topic of direct concern to consumers. The occasional sight of empty shelves is unfamiliar; hoarding is proof of just how quickly households in an affluent society focus on securing their own needs. more...

Unexpectedly large demand drives meal prices

At the beginning of March, the corona crisis led many market participants to act cautiously and sit back to observe further developments. This attitude changed completely in the past two weeks. more...

More rapeseed meal in compound feeds despite declining production

Whereas the use of oilseed meals from rapeseed and soybeans in feed production has dwindled over the past four years, the share of rapeseed meal has increased. more...

The Netherlands remained number one buyer of German biodiesel

In the past year, Germany exported, but also imported, record high amounts of biodiesel. Whereas Poland was the second most important export destination two years ago, Belgium moved up to that position in 2019. more...

Green Deal – develop and implement strategies in dialogue!

Berlin, 10 March 2020: European agriculture is not only the economic sector that is most directly affected by climate change, but can also make a tangible contribution to climate protection in the near future. This is emphasised by the Chairmen of the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP), Wolfgang Vogel, and of the French Oil and Protein Plants Association (FOP), Arnaud Rousseau, with reference to the proposals for the climate law. more...

EU climate law falls short of expectations

Berlin, 06 March 2020. The climate law presented on March 4 by the EU Com-mission did not meet the expectations of the ambitious climate protection pol-icy that had been previously announced. In order to meet the 2050 goal of zero net emissions, the requirements for reaching the climate protection target of 55% in 2030 need to be achieved in the commitment period between 2021 and 2030. more...

German biodiesel exports hit record level

German foreign trade in biodiesel was very brisk last year. The total volume of 3.7 million tonnes exceeded the previous year's level by nearly 20 per cent. more...

US and Ukraine dominate EU oilseed imports

Ukraine has become more and more important for EU rapeseed supply. The US supplied large amounts of soybeans over the past months. more...

Straw is a scarce commodity and not waste

Grain straw is scarce. Its manifold uses make grain straw a sought-after resource. Grain straw uses include the build-up of humus for climate protection and improvement of soil quality both in traditional and organic agriculture, structural feed, litter to meet increasing litter requirements, and expansion of crop rotation systems with leaf crops such as grain legumes. The use for biofuels production will have to take a back seat. more...

Canadian rapeseed stocks saw slight decline

The forecasts for Canadian rapeseed and soybean stocks have been lowered. However, both figures exceed the long-time averages. more...

UFOP letter to the MEP: Sustainable biofuels from cultivated biomass need to be a part of the European “Green Deal”

European agriculture urgently needs reliable sales alternatives to stabilise its agricultural revenue. This is one of the central concerns of farmers in the European Union currently taking to the streets. The “Green Deal” announced by the European Commission could and should create the necessary “impulse” in this matter. more...

Biodiesel from rapeseed oil as an integral component of pioneering diesel fuels - project results confirm development potential of RME

In this project, co-funded by UFOP, the University of Applied Sciences Coburg has investigated future regenerative fuels with regard to their miscibility and ageing behaviour in order to be able to make better predictions about the miscibility of fuels. Based on solubility parameters and a developed algorithm, the miscibility of RME, OME as an option of a renewable synthetic fuel and HVO was derived theoretically and verified experimentally. Download

EU-28 harvested more dry peas

Both on a global scale and in the EU-28, 2019/20 production of dry peas has increased year-on-year. more...

Small supply of rapeseed pushes producer prices

Increasingly tight rapeseed supply in Germany has been driving producer prices, especially since November 2019. more...

Record high soybean harvest expected in Brazil

Anticipating a record harvest in 2019/20, Brazil is set to take the lead among soybean producers, ahead of the US. By contrast, the US have harvested the smallest crop in six years. more...

17th International Conference on Renewable Mobility: Renewable Fuels Are Crucial

Berlin, 20th January 2020 - Discussions and presentations at the 17th International Conference on Renewable Mobility focus on the impact of the German government's climate protection package and the new European Commission's "Green Deal". The European Commission intends to ramp up its climate protection efforts through the "Green Deal", which is also designed to ensure sustainable and intelligent mobility. more...

Report on global market Supply: Sustainable Intensification of arable Production for Food Security and Climate Protection

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) would like to take the publication of the fourth edition of the Report on Global Market Supply as an occasion to indicate the particular importance of agriculture in the production of sustainable foodstuffs and renewable raw materials. Climate change dictates more productivity and efficiency while taking the requirements of sustainable production into account at the same time. Biofuels from cultivated biomass play a leading role when these are being produced according to the legal specifications of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), emphasises the UFOP. more...

Vegetable oil price index hits two-year high

Firm vegetable oil prices caused the vegetable oil price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to rise considerably at the end of 2019. more...

Biofuels require little arable land

Although the share of land used for biofuel production increased by 1 percentage point in 2018, it remains very low. more...

Scarce supply of rapeseed drives rapeseed meal prices

Prospects of a tight rapeseed supply to the market both in the current and upcoming marketing year led to a sharp rise in prices in the run-up to Christmas – not only in the case of the oilseeds, but also of by-products. more...

Global rapeseed area stable

Whereas the rapeseed areas in the EU-28, Russia and China are expected to see a slight rise in the coming marketing year, the production area will presumably remain constant in Canada and likely decline somewhat in Ukraine. more...

EU remains largest biodiesel producer

In the EU, biodiesel production has increased for another year, accounting for more than one third of world production. more...

Different options - one goal: More climate protection in transport.

Discussion at the "Fuels of the Future 2020" International Conference on Renewable Mobility. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector calls for a wide variety of measures. Representatives from the worlds of politics, business and science will discuss the broad spectrum of possible steps towards defossilisation at the 17th "Fuels of the Future" International Conference, which will be held in Berlin from 20th to 21st January 2020. more...

Global biodiesel production is increasing

More and more biodiesel is being produced. As in the previous year, palm oil accounts for the largest share of feed stock, followed by soy and rapeseed oil. more...

Sustainability is vitally important for the future of biofuels

The parallel forum "Sustainability - increasingly stringent standards" at the 17th "Fuels of the Future" International Conference on Renewable Mobility will focus on the latest developments in sustainability. The conference will be held from 20th-21st January 2020 in Berlin. Biofuels make enormous sense in terms of climate policy, as they are produced sustainably in accordance with binding provisions and in Germany they must attain defined greenhouse gas savings. more...

UFOP welcomes punitive tariffs on biodiesel imports from Indonesia

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) sees the decision taken with a vast majority by the European Commission's responsible committee on trade defence measures last week to charge imports of biodiesel from Indonesia with a punitive tariff between 8 and 18 percent as a success for fair competition. The committee thus answered to a complaint of the European Biodiesel Federation EBB. The UFOP points out that this does not restrict the import of palm oil for the production of fuels in the European Union. more...

Share of domestic rapeseed in processing declines

As in the previous year, the small rapeseed harvest has reduced the share of rapeseed from Germany in processing. The remaining demand will be covered by imports from other EU countries and the Ukraine. more...

Power-to-X - the right mix for climate protection

Are synthetic fuels from renewable electricity just a hopeful prospect for the oil and vehicle industry or are they a serious alternative option for transport-sector decarbonisation? There is enormous pressure to act. With about 170.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2017, the transport sector in particular has a negative impact on Germany’s carbon footprint. more...

Palm oil supports vegetable oil market

Palm oil has become considerably more expensive over the past two months on support from prices in Kuala Lumpur. It also pulled up prices of other vegetable oils. more...

Biomethane utilization accelerating in the transport sector

Usage of biomethane in the Germany as a transportation fuel is slowly picking up speed. This is clearly demonstrated by rising sales figures and rapid growth in new registrations of CNG vehicles. The binding obligation from 2021 for Member States to introduce minimum quotas for biofuels from waste and residues is a consequence of upcoming national implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). more...

Decarbonising Arable Farming - Contributing to International Climate Protection Thanks to Biofuels - 17th International Conference on Renewable Mobility "Fuels of the Future 2020", 20./21. January 2020 in Berlin

The consequences of the 2018 and 2019 drought are immediately apparent in agriculture and forestry. These sectors, especially agriculture, are also part of the solution, as well as being directly affected. Rapeseed oil fuel and biomethane are ready for use in combination with today’s modern engine and exhaust gas treatment concepts. more...

FAO vegetable oil price index climbed

The FAO vegetable oil price index hit its highest level since September 2018 at on average 136 points in October 2019. However, the index still remained considerably below the 2018 average of 144 points. more...

International Biofuels Trade - Block 5: Parallel Forum B

Berlin, November 18th - At the 17th "Fuels of the Future" International Conference on Renewable Mobility in Berlin on 20th and 21st January 2020, numerous parallel forums will address the technical and economic requirements for future drive systems for automobiles, aviation and shipping. more...

Prices for soybean meal: focus on Brazilian crop

Prices for conventional soybean meal reached their povisional annual high at the beginning of June, driven by soybean prices in Chicago. However, they have sagged continuously ever since. more...

Putting Biomethane on the Road

Berlin, November 6th - The forum "Putting Biomethane on the Road", part of the programme of the 17th "Fuels of the Future" International Conference on Renewable Mobility, highlights the development path and successes of the biomethane fuel market in recent years. more...

Small rapeseed harvest is pushing up imports

Modest per-hectare yields and a small production area led to the smallest rapeseed harvest in the EU in 13 years. EU imports have already just about doubled. more...

Soybean yields on a sharp rise

Soybean farming has become increasingly important in Germany. Soybean area and output have been growing since 2016. more...

Germany: key elements of the climate action program 2030

On 20 September, the Federal Cabinet adopted the sector-specific packages of measures to implement the Climate Protection Action Plan 2030. more...

More soybeans from Germany

The increase in area sown with pulses held out the prospect of a larger crop already in spring. Significant growth in yield in some places added to heighten crop expectations further. more...

2019 EU sunflower crop falls just short of previous year's level

Sunflowers are the second most important oilseed crop in the EU, currently occupying one third of the total production area. more...

UFOP-"Biodiesel" Assessment Report 2018/19 published

The status report explains the relevant topics of the UFOP annual report on national and international biofuel policy, on biofuel accompanying research for UFOP-funded projects, and on biofuel statistics. The report gives a comprehensive overview about the state of the art on national and European biofuel policy. The main topics are the implementation and consequences of the Renewable Energies Directive (2018/2001/EC) and in particular the national framework conditions resulting from the Climate Protection Act. Download

Fluctuations in feedstock prices hardly move consumer prices

The drought-reduced rapeseed harvests in Germany in 2018 and 2019 have had little impact on consumer price levels for edible rapeseed oil. more...

Outlook for global soybean stocks lowered

In its latest publication, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) substantially lowered its estimate of the 2019/20 soybean stocks. However, stocks are still seen to be large. more...

Rapeseed prices clearly exceed year-ago level

The small EU rapeseed crop and firm forward prices drove up producer prices for rapeseed considerably. Also, feedstock demand from oil mills picked up over the past weeks. more...

Biodiesel prices soar

Buoyant demand for biodiesel, especially rapeseed methyl ester, hasn’t just driven biodiesel prices, but also rapeseed oil prices. more...

Small EU harvest drives rapeseed prices

Whereas the small harvests in the EU and buoyant RME demand from the biodiesel industry sent rapeseed prices in Paris rising, US soybean prices were guided by mixed stimuli. more...

Biodiesel exports rose sharply

German biodiesel exports rose sharply in the first half year of 2019 compared to 2018. The Netherlands is the primary country of destination and by far the most important trading platform in Europe. more...

German rapeseed oil exports fell 15 per cent

German exports of rapeseed oil shrank for the second year running in the 2018/19 marketing year. Above all, demand from some EU member states dropped sharply. more...

Rapeseed oil prices see steady increase

Asking prices for rapeseed oil rose sharply in the first half year 2019. At the same time, palm oil prices declined until July, widening the price gap between the two oils considerably. more...

Mineral oil groups ramp up HVO production in the EU

Production of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in the European Union has picked up pace since 2012. Mineral oil groups, such as Neste, Eni and Total, were the main entities promoting the creation of corresponding capacities. From the perspective of the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP), the key reason for the development is that the iLUC Regulation introduced in 2015 permits that biofuels from waste oils and fats can be counted double. At the same time, pressure on prices has increased in the international vegetable oil markets. more...

Planned punitive tariffs on palm oil methyl ester ineffective

The preliminary punitive tariffs announced by the EU Commission will not reduce imports of palm oil-based biodiesel. This is the conclusion the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) has drawn from a comparison of 8 per cent and 18 per cent tariff increases. more...

EU oilseed crop smaller yet again

Weather conditions have led to a reduced 2019 EU rapeseed harvest, bringing production down to a 13-year low. At the same time, the sunflower crop is expected to hit a record. more...

UFOP welcomes the introduction of penalty tariffs on Indonesian biodiesel

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) welcomes the decision of the EU Commission to introduce temporary countervailing duties for biodiesel imports from Indonesia. The import tariff level will be determined on a company-specific basis and varies between an 8% and 18% surcharge on the value of the goods. more...

France bans palm oil from biofuels

France is tightening up regulations on the use of palm oil as a feedstock in biofuels production. However, this only applies to palm oil eligibility within France. more...

EU soybean area at ten-year high

The soy area in the EU has risen 4 per cent compared to 2018 and even tripled over the past ten years. The most significant growth, although of a small total area, is seen in Germany. more...

Palm and soybean oil lose a lot of ground

The vegetable oil price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) dropped 12 per cent over the past marketing year and is currently at a level lower than that recorded in December 2018. more...

Global rapeseed production covers demand despite drought

In its current global rapeseed supply outlook for 2019/20, the International Grain Council (IGC) anticipates a considerable decline in world production. At the same time, global stocks are expected to rise to a record high. more...

Palm oil cheaper than diesel fuel

Selling prices for palm oil and diesel fuel have recently converged to the same level, after the former had even been at a lower price for six months. more...

Cultivation of legumes is attractive

Legumes have increasingly gained importance in German agriculture and are taking up more and more cultivation area. more...

Romanian sunflower crop expected to be smaller

The scaleback in Romanian sunflower area is forecast to lead to a drop in the country's sunflower production compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the EU Commission expects an increase in overall EU sunflower production. more...

Biodiesel exports rose substantially

German biodiesel exports increased sharply in the first quarter of 2019, with exports to Great Britain seeing the biggest growth. more...

Large harvests and implications of US-China trade dispute force down prices

Prices of soybeans are on a downward slide all across the globe. The reason is both large harvests in Argentina and Brazil and the trade dispute between the US and China. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) has voiced concerns that this trend will also affect the current protein plant strategy efforts in Germany and Europe. more...

Surplus of soybean meal also forces down prices for protein alternatives

The large harvests in Argentina and Brazil and reduction in US sales opportunities in China have pushed soybean prices into a downward spiral internationally. more...

Tight supply of soybeans in 2019/20

The US will presumably harvest the smallest tonnage of soybeans in four years in 2019. more...

FAO vegetable oil price index at eleven-year low

The global price index for vegetable oils came under pressure in March. It slumped 4.4 per cent to 128 points, the second lowest level in eleven years. more...

Palm oil production grows faster than consumption

The productivity of oil palm trees seasonally decreases from October onwards. Nevertheless, January/March 2019 palm oil production was up, on average, 10 per cent from a year earlier. By contrast, exports only increased 7 per cent. more...

International Rapeseed Congress in June in Berlin

The 15th International Rapeseed Congress (IRC) is the first rapeseed congress to be held in Germany in 45 years. Over 800 scientists and representatives from the agricultural sector will meet in Berlin from 16th to 19th June. The IRC is the most important international scientific congress on rapeseed. more...

Global rapeseed balance substantially adjusted

In its latest estimate, the USDA has adjusted 2018/19 world rapeseed production considerably in some cases. This has also led to a rise in global rapeseed ending stocks. more...

Vegetable oils remain in strong demand

In the FAS forecast for 2019/20, EU vegetable oil production is projected to decline. At the same time, consumption is expected to increase further. more...

More is paid for the 2019 crop

Both buyers and sellers of rapeseed are notably reluctant at present. The former are stocked up well till the end of the season, but are also holding back as regards new-crop contracts. more...

Trade dispute reduces US soybean area

Because of the US trade dispute with China and the resulting limited export potential, US farmers are growing fewer soybeans. more...

Crop-based Biofuels with an important bridging function

In a letter to the members of the European Parliament, Wolfgang Vogel, President of the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP), emphasised the special importance of rape cultivation in the European Union. As a flowering plant, rapeseed is by far the most important raw material for the production of biofuels as well as for the delivery of GM-free feed protein. The reason for the letter is the presentation of the third UFOP report on global market supply. In particular, the Chairman emphasised the bridging function of sustainable certified rapeseed with its tangible contribution to meet climate protection targets and relieve the burden on national budgets. more...

EU oilseed area in slight decline

The 2018 rapeseed harvest was significantly smaller than a year earlier. Contrary to expectations, however, this gap was not filled with imports, as oil mills curbed their demand. more...

2018/19 rapeseed imports unexpectedly small

The 2018 rapeseed harvest was significantly smaller than a year earlier. Contrary to expectations, however, this gap was not filled with imports, as oil mills curbed their demand. more...

Biodiesel imports almost doubled

Imports of biodiesel to Germany increased sharply in 2018. The rise was triggered by overabundant supply of state-subsidised and consequently low-priced biodiesel from Argentina. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) fears that a similar development will take place after the EU Commission's ongoing anti-subsidy proceedings against Indonesia have been concluded. more...

Oilseed producers demand rejection of delegate legislation to regulate low and high iLUC-risk biofuels by EU Parliament

On 8 February 2019, the European Commission presented a draft delegated act regulating biofuel feedstocks with a high or low risk of triggering indirect land-use changes (iLUC). The proposal results from the trilogue negotiations on the reform of the Renewable Energies Directive (RED II) in June 2018. Due to the numerous exceptions contained in the draft, the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) and the Fédération française des Producteurs d'Oléagineux et de Protéagineux (FOP) consider the draft to be unacceptable as it stands and call on the EU Parliament to reject the delegated act within the objection period before the end of the actual parliaments legislature. more...

Biodiesel once again lower priced than agricultural diesel

At the beginning of March, farmers have to fork out less for biodiesel than for agricultural diesel for the first time in just less than one year, although diesel is cheaper than a year ago. more...

UFOP fears legalisation of loopholes for palm oil imports

The draft of a delegated act regulating biofuels from cultivated biomass with a low or high risk of indirect land use (iLUC) presented last week by the European Commission is met with disapproval. The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) fears that already occurred but also future deforestation will be legalized, in particular due to the special treatment for small plantations. The Union therefore calls on its members and other interested parties to participate in the consultation process of the EU Commission. more...

Jump in biodiesel imports

After the anti-dumping tariffs on biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia were suspended, imports showed a steep rise. more...

Foreign trade of biodiesel at record level

The German Federal Statistical Office has confirmed Germany's brisk foreign trade of biodiesel. The total volume amounted to around 3 million tonnes, with imports showing a striking growth. more...

Nothing unexpected in USDA report

Due to the shutdown, the soybean market had to do without the USDA forecast for a month, after which it virtually craved for the new report. However, the latter provided little news. more...

Vegetable oil price index hits eleven-year low

After one year, the downward spiral of the vegetable oil price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) finally stopped in December 2018. more...

Argentina and the EU settle dispute over biodiesel imports

According to the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Crops (UFOP), European oilseed producers are the losers due to the decision of the representatives of the EU Member States in the Trade Defence Instruments Committee (TDI) of 30th January 2019. The association criticises the Committee's approval of the Argentine Government's proposal for a so-called "price undertaking” agreement, which will allow Argentina's biodiesel producers to export around 1.2 million tonnes of biodiesel duty-free to the EU every year. more...

Fuels of the Future 2019: Renewable mobility amidst the conflicting priorities of climate protection, economic viability and user acceptance

Speakers from the German Bioenergy Association, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the international mineral oil industry, the German automotive industry and the scientific community presented their concepts, strategies and research results for renewable mobility in the future to over 550 conference participants at the launch of the conference on 21st January 2019 in CityCube Berlin. more...

Fuels of the Future 2019: Experts call for immediately effective and technology-open climate protection measures in the transport sector

The recast European Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) will be the focus of discussion at the international conference on renewable mobility. The directive stipulates that the minimum share of renewables in the transport sector energy mix should increase from ten per cent in 2020 to 14 per cent in 2030. more...

Rapeseed costs less than fuel oil

Starting Friday this week, over a period of ten days, tens of thousands of people are going to visit the International Green Week in Berlin and enjoy the treats. more...

Promoting citizen-orientated climate protection in transport

On the occasion of the new edition of the brochure "Good Reasons for Biofuels", the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) determines that the importance of biofuels as a tool for decarbonising the transport sector is increasing worldwide. The most well-known example is Brazil, with a steadily growing production of bioethanol and also of biodiesel. In the European Union, biofuel policy has evolved from a control instrument for agricultural surpluses in the early 1990s to a measure embedded in European and national energy and climate protection policies. more...

Combining economically viable agriculture with appropriate agricultural market and climate protection policies

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Crops (UFOP) has formulated its policy expectations on the occasion of the presentation of the third edition of the Global Market Supply Report. The association refers to the generally good global supply situation for the most important agricultural commodities. The caloric needs of the world's population are more than covered in cereals, sugar and oil crops. The updated report also takes into account the raw material requirements for biofuel production and material utilisation as a renewable raw material. more...

EU imports of US soybeans doubled

Following China's ban on US soybeans, the US has been in need of new buyers. The EU-28 benefits from this situation as its imports of US soybeans have multiplied. more...

2018 drought – small harvest and low prices

Although the German rapeseed harvest was the smallest in 15 years, this fact is not reflected in farmers' proceeds. more...

Different development of cropland in the northern and southern hemisphere

The primary purpose of agriculture has always been to feed people. The continuous growth in population and changes in eating habits due to higher incomes call for sustained intensification and increases in agricultural production. more...

2019/20 world rapeseed production set to be stable

The rapeseed area for the 2019 harvest is expected to increase in many countries, whereas in the EU it is anticipated to decline substantially. more...

Fuels of the Future

The Global Challenge of Climate Protection in the Transport Sector - Are Biofuels and Synthetic Fuels Compatible? 16th International Conference discusses biofuels in the context of synthetic fuel development more...

EU Commission begins anti-subsidy process against Indonesia

UFOP demands the expedited introduction of preliminary counter measures – customs duties on biodiesel imports should not be circumvented via palm oil imports. more...

Mobility amidst the conflicting priorities of climate protection, profitability and user acceptance

The transport sector must make a considerable and much more vigorous contribution to decarbonisation in order to achieve the Federal Government’s climate protection goals for 2030. Alongside established and novel biofuels, electromobility and other alternative fuels also play a major role. more...

Rapeseed oil remains the most important biodiesel raw material in the EU

The availability and price of vegetable and animal oils and fats also play a key role in biodiesel production. In the European Union, rapeseed oil continues to be the most important source of raw materials for biodiesel production. more...

Fossil and Biofuel Research Safeguards Sales Markets

Biodiesel and bioethanol are by far the most important alternative sustainable fuels in Germany and the European Union, not only today, but also in the years ahead. In Germany alone, they contributed about 7.7 million t CO2 equivalent towards greenhouse gas reduction in 2017. more...

Rapeseed market goes calmly into winter

Following a strong increase in the summer, rapeseed prices showed little movement. However, sales were also low. more...

European Parliament confirms less ambitious protection targets at the expense of EU agriculture

The European Parliament has formally approved the results of the trilogue on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive. The German Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP - Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants) reiterates its critical position of the decision, which the EU Council of Ministers will also shortly be following. Climate protection in the transport sector and European agriculture will be the ultimate losers, it reports. more...

Launch of the "Call for Papers" for the 15th International Rapeseed Congress 2019 in Berlin

Scientists can now apply to present lectures and poster contributions at the International Rapeseed Conference (IRC) from 16th to 19th June 2019 in Berlin. The Call for Papers, with its submission deadline of 31st January 2019, marks the next milestone en route to the world's largest rapeseed research conference with a simultaneously scientific and practice-oriented approach. more...

Good soybean supply – rapeseed slightly scarcer

The stock-to-use ratios for soybean and sunflower seed have improved due to larger crops globally; rapeseed has gone down slightly. more...

Commission fails to defend its agriculture in anti-dumping file against Argentinian biodiesel

Last year, the European Commission abruptly ended anti-dumping duties on Argentinian imports of biodiesel made from soy. This was immediately followed by a complaint by the European Biodiesel Bureau, aiming to introduce a countervailing duty that would offset subsidies given by the Argentinian State to its exporting biodiesel industry. more...

Rapeseed oil prices shooting upwards

Wholesale prices for rapeseed oil and palm oil have been moving in opposite directions for 7 months. more...

Disappointing pulse crop due to dry weather

The reduction in area planted in spring already paved the way for a smaller grain legume crop in Germany in 2018. Moreover, pulse yields shrank massively due to the long period of drought, as did other crop yields. more...

German biodiesel exports hit record high

In the first half year of 2018, German biodiesel exports climbed considerably. Demand from the US, but also from Sweden and Austria, increased sharply. more...

Soybean ending stocks increasing strongly

World soybean production in the 2018/19 marketing year will likely be higher than previously expected. Since Chinese demand is shrinking, stocks could surge to a record high. more...

Position paper – Advanced alternative liquid fuels: For climate protection in the global raw materials change

This position paper is intended to appeal to decision-makers in politics, business and science. With regard to climate protection goals, the paper aims at showing technological ways to achieve the full integration of the transport and heating sectors into the energy transition by 2050 in a realistic, sustainable and economically justifiable manner. The objective is to illustrate why advanced liquid alternative fuels will play a key role. Recommendations for action should help to meet the challenges of the required radical change from fossil fuels to sustainable resources. more...

German rapeseed oil export shrinks

German exports of rapeseed oil in the 2017/18 marketing year fell short of the previous year's record level. Above all, some EU member states purchased considerably less rapeseed oil. more...

Biodiesel share increased despite declining diesel consumption

Consumption of road traffic diesel and petrol in the first half year of 2018 was lower than in the 2017 reference period. However, the use of biodiesel and bioethanol saw a significant rise. more...

Operating performance of a tractor engine of emissions standard EU IV in biodiesel operation

Agriculture is particularly affected by climate change but is also required to make as much of a contribution to climate protection as possible. Approximately 1.6 million tonnes of diesel fuel is used in agriculture each year. This means that the optimum reduction of fuel consumption has been achieved. Fuel consumption tends to increase as updated crop protection product authorisations preclude reduced tillage and increasingly, weeds must be controlled mechanically. more...

Further increase in German rapeseed imports in 2017/18

According to information published by the German Federal Statistical Office, Germany saw another rise in rapeseed imports in the 2017/18 marketing year. Imports hit a record high at just under 6 million tonnes. more...

High feedstock prices hardly reached consumers

The scarcity of supply of agricultural feedstock due to drought-related declines in yield had little impact on consumer prices. The main factors driving prices up were labour or energy costs. more...

Rapeseed meal prices firmed significantly

The disappointing 2018 EU rapeseed crop and brisk demand from compound feed manufacturers pushed rapeseed meal to a three-year high. The rise has reduced the price advantage over GMO-free soybean meal. more...

Registration for the 15th International Rapeseed Congress 2019 in Berlin is open

45 years after an international rapeseed congress took place for the first time in Germany, the 15th International Rapeseed Congress (IRC) is scheduled for Berlin, the capital city of Germany, in 2019. Around 300 days prior to the event, online registration for the upcoming 15th IRC is now open. more...

Global soybean production in 2018/19 could reach record level

Global 2018/19 soybean production is estimated significantly higher than the previous month. The USDA has raised its forecast for the US considerably, now expecting a bumper crop. more...

Brisk demand stimulates rapeseed oil price

Asking prices for rapeseed oil recovered considerably over the past few weeks. In contrast, palm oil fell to a multi-year low. more...

EU oilseed crop likely to come in below expectations

According to the EU Commission's preliminary estimates, the 2018/19 oilseed output in the EU-28 could fall short of last year's level. The main factor is declines in rapeseed yield. more...

Rapeseed prices spiking – Smaller crop has sent producer prices higher

The ongoing heatwave in the EU-28 is anticipated to lead to a significantly smaller rapeseed harvest than previously expected. Prices have already risen considerably and are likely to increase further. more...

Trade conflict puts damper on USDA export outlook

The US Department of Agriculture expects the US export potential to shrink because of the slowdown in demand from China in the wake of the trade dispute with the US. more...

Global rapeseed stocks could shrink to six-year low

The current IGC report on global rapeseed supply in 2018/19 expects world rapeseed stocks to see a significant decline. The reason is smaller harvests, especially in the EU-28 and Australia. more...

Rapeseed prices could rise

Due to the lower harvest estimates for key rapeseed producing countries and prospects of brisk demand from China, asking prices for rapeseed are poised to exceed previous expectations. more...

Soybean stocks likely to decline further

World soybean production could grow significantly in the 2018/19 marketing year. However, output will unlikely be sufficient to satisfy demand, which would lead to a further reduction in stocks. more...

Approval list of commercial vehicle manufacturers for operation with biodiesel (B20 | B30 | B100)

Even today, a large number of commercial vehicle engine manufacturers are prepared to create the technical conditions for using biodiesel by releasing their engines for B20, B30 (acc. EN 16709) or B100 (acc. EN 14214). The current approval list of commercial vehicle manufacturers gives you an overview of approved commercial vehicles and engines as well as the compliance with emission standards. more...

Prices of conventional soybean meal took a nosedive

Prices of conventional soybean meal have come down significantly since the beginning of May 2018. Ample supply from Brazil, favourable growing conditions in the US and the escalating trade dispute between China and the US are putting downward pressure on prices. more...

EU sunflower production expected at clearly below year-ago level

Although the sunflower area has remained constant in the EU-28, the EU Commission anticipates a sharp drop in sunflowerseed production. Yields, especially in Romania and France, could be disappointing. more...

Argentina accounts for almost two thirds of EU biodiesel off − Indonesia is the largest palm oil exporter to the EU

Biodiesel imports from Argentina have increased considerably over the past several months. In contrast, imports of soybean oil as feedstock from Argentina have been virtually non-existent. The reverse trend can be seen in regard to imports from Indonesia. more...

Biodiesel exports rose strongly

In the first three months of 2018, German exports of biodiesel rose strongly. Above all, demand from the US, but also from Belgium and Austria saw a sharp increase. more...

Diesel fuel prices draw level with palm oil prices

– UFOP urges trialogue parties in Brussels to reconsider their position on biofuels – Asking prices for diesel fuel and palm oil have reached virtually the same level. The reason is contradictory price trends for crude and palm oil. more...

2018/19 global rapeseed consumption could rise to record levels

The current USDA report on global rapeseed supply projects hardly any changes for the running season. However, production and consumption are predicted to reach new record levels in 2018/19. more...

Contrasting changes in global prices for vegetable oils and cereals

The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) price indices for vegetable oils and cereals have recently trended in opposite directions. Whereas vegetable oils have been under considerable downward pressure, cereal prices have increased since the beginning of the year. more...

EU rapeseed imports levelled off

The excessive EU rapeseed imports which previously characterised the marketing year have waned. At the beginning of April, the total volume stood at the previous year's level. more...

Value of grain and rapeseed declines relative to oil price

As crude oil prices rise, energy uses of rapeseed, grain and, first and foremost, crop straw are increasingly attractive. The German Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) draws attention to this trend at a time when pressure on prices in the grain and rapeseed markets is increasing. more...

Global soybean crop smaller than expected

The world's 2017/18 soybean output will be significantly smaller than previously expected. Argentina is set to harvest one third less than initially projected. Larger harvests in Brazil and the US will not suffice to offset the shortfall. more...

Rapeseed needs the biodiesel market - Vogel: Dumping imports are jeopardising European rapeseed cultivation

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e. V. (UFOP) views the prospects of European rapeseed cultivation as being acutely jeopardised. “The dumping imports from Argentina and Indonesia are becoming a question of survival for European rapeseed producers”, said the Chairman of UFOP, Wolfgang Vogel. The shutdowns and production cutbacks carried out by European biodiesel producers will continue to increase the pressure on the volume and pricing on the market for rapeseed oil and rapeseed. more...

2018 EU rapeseed area increased from previous year

In the EU-28, an estimated area of 6.8 million hectares is planted with winter rapeseed for the 2018 harvest. This translates to a more than 80,000 ha rise from 2017. more...

Rapeseed oil price fell to a multi-year low

Prices of vegetable oils declined. Above all, rapeseed oil weakened considerably, but soybean oil also came down sharply. more...

Rapeseed meal significantly more expensive

Brisk demand for rapeseed meal drove prices to a three-year high. This reduced the price advantage compared to GMO-free soybean meal in compound feeds. more...

EU biofuel policy requires reliable framework conditions

The trialogue procedure for redrafting the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) began in late February 2018. Against this backdrop, the German Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP - Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants) and the Fédération française des Producteurs d’Oléagineux et de Protéagineux (FOP - French Federation of Growers of Oilseed and Protein Plants) appeal to the negotiating partners to find an appropriate compromise that protects existing investments and at the same time also encourages investment into the biofuel sector in future. more...

Declining production causes soybean stocks to shrink

World soybean output in the 2017/18 marketing year will likely be lower than previously expected. According to USDA's consumption forecast, which was raised further, global ending stocks could in fact dwindle. more...

New edition of the UFOP brochure "Good Reasons for Biofuels"

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) has updated and reissued its consumer information "Good Reasons for Biofuels". The brochure provides the most important aspects on 24 pages justifying the need to continue promoting biofuels. These concern the desolate market situation in oilseeds and cereals, the importance of biofuels for agriculture, rapeseed as a supplier of GM-free protein feed, the current importance of sustainable biofuels in energy supply compared to other renewable energies, and the question of the use of biofuels in agriculture and forestry as a contribution to greenhouse gas reduction. more...

EU oilseed crop could set new record

According to the EU Commission's first forecasts, the 2018/19 oilseed output in the EU-28 could top last year's production. The rapeseed crop in particular is estimated higher. more...

German Biodiesel exports increased

According to export figures published by the German Federal Statistical Office, demand for biodiesel from Germany continues to be very high. Demand has grown strongly, especially in the EU-28. more...

Vegetable oil production projected to reach a new high

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects global vegetable oil pro-duction to hit a new record at 197 million tonnes in 2017/18. The increase in palm oil, but also soybean oil production will be particularly sharp. more...

China's rapeseed consumption on a sharp increase

World rapeseed stocks are likely to dwindle more strongly than previously ex-pected in the 2017/18 marketing year. China's figures have been unexpectedly adjusted. more...

Contrasting development of prices for rapeseed and rapeseed meal

Asking prices for rapeseed and rapeseed meal have developed in opposite directions over the past few weeks. It is doubtful whether this trend is going to persist. more...

Greenhouse gas emissions in rapeseed cultivation need to be assessed realistically for optimal mitigation

A network of eight partners, coordinated by the Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture (Thünen-Institut für Agrarklimaschutz, hereafter TI), investigated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the cultivation of rapeseed. The aim was to find out whether the emissions in the framework of climate protection agreements are estimated realistically for Germany. more...

Rapeseed and wheat worth less than fuel oil?!

The vegetable oil price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) fell to a five-month low in December 2017. The decline was primarily driven by weaker prices for palm, rapeseed and soybean oil. more...

International Conference on Renewable Mobility: Immediately making use of all available options to reach climate change objectives in transportation

The biofuel industry regrets the position adopted by the European Parliament concerning the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive. At the International Conference on Renewable Mobility, the industry criticises the Parliament's intent to reduce sales of biofuels from crop biomass. more...

Global soybean output to fall only just short of previous year's record level

The current marketing year is likely to see the world's second largest soybean crop on record. Whereas the weather in Argentina spawns uncertainty, the Brazilian outlook is surprisingly positive. more...

European Parliament Votes to Begin With-drawal from Conventional Biofuels

The European Parliament has established its position for the forthcoming trilogue procedure on recast of the Renewable Energies Directive. It envisages that the share of renewable energies in the transport sector should increase to at least 12 percent by 2030, with 10 percent provided by biofuels from waste and residues. more...

Statutory GHG reduction requirement for biofuels increases to 50 percent

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. - UFOP) would like to remind that the increased greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirement for biofuels took effect on 1st January 2018 in accordance with the so-called "iLUC Directive" from 2015. more...

Vegetable oil prices declined

The vegetable oil price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) fell to a five-month low in December 2017. The decline was primarily driven by weaker prices for palm, rapeseed and soybean oil. more...

Smaller shortfall in EU supply and demand balance for rapeseed in 2017/18

The supply situation in the EU 28 rapeseed market continues to be tight in 2017/18. However, with production growing more strongly than consumption, imports are expected to decline. Stocks are set to remain stable. more...

Charts UFOP Report on Global Market Supply 2017/2018

European and world demand for biomass for the purpose of biofuel production in relation to supply in the food and feedstuff markets more...

Updated UFOP Report on Global Market Supply Published

Strong global harvest yields mean that supply on international markets is more than sufficient. The figures indicate that there is enough to meet worldwide demand, as the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants, UFOP) notes in its updated report on global market supply, pointing out nonetheless that many parts of the world suffer from severe food shortages. more...

Grain is mainly used for feed production

Global production of grains in the 2017/18 marketing year amounts to an estimat-ed 2.1 billion tonnes. The produce is intended for human consumption, but also used as a livestock feed and feedstock in bioethanol production. more...

German biodiesel exports stepped up

Germany saw a sharp rise in biodiesel exports over the first nine months of 2017. Demand from Denmark and Great Britain was particularly dynamic. more...

Area of plantations tripled in just 50 years

The continuous growth in population and changes in eating habits due to higher incomes are the drivers of intensification of, and increases in agricultural production. more...

Prices of conventional soybean meal jumped sharply

Prices of conventional soybean meal firmed substantially at the end of November 2017. Dryness in Argentina fuelled concerns about soybean crop failures and, as a result of this, a decline in processing. more...

Palm oil beat down vegetable oil prices

Vegetable oil prices were in decline. Especially palm oil weakened considerably, pulling down the entire sector. more...

Trade in Biofuels Worldwide – Overview and Outlook

15th International Conference on Renewable Mobility from 22nd to 23rd January in Berlin – Early Bird Registration ends 30th November 2017. more...

Rapeseed supplies set to shrink

World rapeseed stocks are likely to dwindle further in the 2017/18 marketing year, falling to the lowest level in five years. The reason is that more rapeseed is being consumed than produced. more...

Biodiesel 2016/2017 - Report on Progress and Future Prospects

The assessment report provides information on the most important aspects of the national and European biofuel policy and the biodiesel markets. It is an excerpt from the UFOP business report 2016/2017 and includes the chapters “Biodiesel and Co.”, the report of the UFOP expert commission “Biofuels and Renewable Resources” as well as current national and European biofuel statistics. more...

Ample supply causes soybean stocks to increase

World soybean output in the 2017/18 marketing year will likely be higher than previously expected. The forecast of consumption was raised further, but global stocks could nevertheless grow. more...

DEUTZ approves engines for the use of alternative fuels

DEUTZ has approved the latest generation of its entire TCD engine range for operation with alternative fuels. This will make a further significant reduction to the carbon footprint of combustion engines and even raises the prospect of running such engines on a carbon-neutral basis. more...

Vegetable oil supplies limited price increases

Vegetable oil prices recently showed a firmer trend. Rising demand and a weaker euro led to a rise in asking prices. more...

Biodiesel research against the backdrop of more stringent emissions legislation and fuel chemistry requirements

The 15th International Congress for Renewable Energy, which will be held in Berlin from 22nd – 23rd January 2018, once again offers the international biodiesel and biofuel industry a platform to meet with experts from the world of science for discussions on current research outcomes and new topics shaping biodiesel’s prospects. more...

EU sunflower crop forecast slightly lowered

The EU Commission lowered its forecast for the EU-28 sunflower output in 2017 from the previous month. Whereas French harvest figures are surprisingly positive, Romania's harvest is lower than expected. more...

15th International Congress for Renewable Mobility Discusses the Future of the Combustion Engine

Catchphrases like Dieselgate, traffic bans and defeat devices shape current debate on diesel engines, and the combustion engine's future is called into question. Which diesel and petrol engines are future-proof, reflecting the spirit of sustainable, low-emission mobility? more...

Ex-farm rapeseed prices declined from previous year

Producer prices hardly moved during the first four months of the marketing year. The seasonal price rise was also delayed because of extensive rapeseed imports. more...

Germany - for the first time, more waste oil biodiesel than rapeseed oil biodiesel is consumed

In the quota year 2016, the total consumption of biodiesel made from waste oils (0.87 Mio. tons) exceeded the consumption of biodiesel made from rapeseed oil by around 0.87 million tonnes for the first time. more...

EP Committee on Environment denies prospects for domestic biofuels

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) expresses its disappointment in the result of the vote in the European Parliament's Committee on Environment on Monday this week concerning the reform of the biofuel policy for the period from 2020 to 2030 (RED II). more...

Vegetable oil prices on the rise

The vegetable oil price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) rose to a seven-month high in September 2017. Above all, the firmer prices for palm and soybean oil contributed to the surge. more...

Legume harvests were satisfactory

The expansion of land devoted to growing legume crops set the course for a larger legume harvest in Germany already in spring. Consistently higher yields than 2016 also contributed to the rise in harvests. more...

Vegetable oil as a fuel in the agriculture

In the agriculture the widening of the application of vegetable oil as a fuel in tractors could be a contribution to more sustainability. more...

Wholesale fuel prices displayed a mixed trend

Wholesale prices for agricultural diesel and biodiesel have risen significantly since August. By contrast, rapeseed oil has been on a weaker trend. Agricultural diesel continued to be the lowest-priced option despite the price rise. more...

15th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future 2018"

The programme of the 15th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future” is now available for you at www.fuels-of-the-future.com. On behalf of German Bioenergy Association (BBE) we would like to cordially invite you to join us at CityCube Berlin on 22–23 January 2018. more...

German rapeseed oil exports reached a record high

German exports of rapeseed oil hit a record high in the 2016/17 marketing year. Both EU member states and third countries purchased considerably more rapeseed oil than a year earlier. more...

Rapeseed imports continued to rise in 2016/17

Germany's 2016/17 rapeseed imports increased to a record high of around 5.6 million tonnes, the Federal Statistical Office reported. more...

Vegetable oil production to rise to a new record in 2017/18

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects global vegetable oil production to hit a new record at 195 million tonnes in 2017/18. Palm and soybean oil are anticipated to increase particularly strongly, but rapeseed oil production is also projected to surge. more...

French and German oilseed farmers ask European Commission to protect EU biodiesel market

On 7th September member state representatives narrowly approved the proposal by the EU Commission to reduce by September 28 the customs duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina. The French union of oilseeds and proteins crops producers (FOP) and the German association for the promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) don’t understand this decision and ask for the EU Commission quickly protect EU market from Argentinian distorting practices. more...

EU-28 biodiesel imports likely to in-crease significantly

Following the EU decision to lower import duties on Argentinian biodiesel, imports into the EU-28 are likely to rise sharply, producing considerable shifts in the market. more...

Biodiesel share declined despite record diesel consumption and raised quota on GHG emission

Consumption of road traffic diesel and petrol in the first half year of 2017 was higher than in the 2016 reference period. At the same time, the use of biodiesel declined, although the higher quota on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has been in force since January 2017. Bioethanol remained almost at the year-ago level. more...

Biodiesel exports saw a slight increase

In the first six months of 2017, German biodiesel exports slightly exceeded the previous year's figures. More specifically, Denmark and Great Britain purchased more biodiesel from German production. By contrast, demand from the US slumped. more...

USDA revised rapeseed harvest estimate for 2017/18 upward

Despite adverse weather conditions in parts of the EU-28, the USDA raised its harvest estimate for the Community. Accordingly, the European Union is set to remain the world's top rapeseed producer in 2017/18. more...

Biodiesel sales stagnate in spite of higher GHG quota

In spite of the increase in the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirement from 3.5 to 4.0 percent introduced at the beginning of the year and the further increase in diesel consumption to almost 15 million tonnes (prior year: 14.15 million tonnes), biodiesel consumption has fallen once again from 0.912 million tonnes to 0.848 million tonnes. more...

EU sunflower crop smaller than expected

The EU Commission lowered its forecast for EU-28 sunflower output in 2017 from the previous month. Above all, Southeast European yields were forecast down. more...

Conducting food/fuel debate based on facts

UFOP report confirms very good supply situation to the international raw material markets more...

Charts supply report 2016/2017

European and world demand for biomass for the purpose of biofuel production in relation to supply in the food and feedstuff markets more...

Rapeseed imports from Australia expected to decline

In 2016/17, Australia was the second largest supplier of rapeseed to Germany after France. This situation is unlikely to repeat itself in the coming year because the current drought will probably cut the Australian rapeseed harvest and reduce exports volumes. more...

Germany's most beautiful oil fields – Resource and climate protection in transport

When rapeseed blossoms in springtime, millions of bees and the wind together provide the foundation for rapeseed oil production, with the rapeseed grains from the pods being pressed in oil mills. This is how rapeseed oil and rapeseed meal is produced. more...

Biofuels - 73% average greenhouse gas saving in 2016

In its current evaluation of the sustainability certificates for the year 2016, the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung: BLE) confirms increasing greenhouse gas efficiency in biofuels in Germany. The average GHG reduction compared to fossil fuels is 73 percent. There was an improvement in GHG reductions for all biofuel types compared to the year 2015. more...

201705_COPA-COGECA Positionpaper REDII – Strengthening the role of agricultural and forest biomass in all bioenergy sectors to achieve the EU’s 2030 climate and energy goals

The proposal for a recast of the directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (proposal for a RED II Directive) is in contradiction with the EU’s objectives concerning the protection of the climate, energy security, and the promotion of a low-carbon and circular economy. Indeed, the Commission proposes to abandon the target to promote renewable energy sources in the transport sector, to reduce or scrap the use of conventional biofuels, to consider waste-based fossil fuels as renewable fuels, to restrict priority access, transmission and distribution of electricity produced from more...

POSITION OF THE EUROPEAN OILSEED ALLIANCE (EOA) ON THE RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE PROPOSAL (RED II)

The EU Commission proposal of 30th November 2016 to revise the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) foresees: ▪ The deletion of the 10% target for renewables in transport; ▪ Its replacement with a new target of 6.8% exclusively directed to low-emission and advanced biofuels in 2030 – the crop-based biofuels from the 1st generation not being accounted for in this target; ▪ A phasing down of crop-based biofuels through a digressive more...

Rapeseed the Power Plant

Over 1.3 million hectares of rapeseed oil fields are blossoming in Germany at the moment. The plants store the sun’s energy in the seeds and in the rapeseed oil derived from these seeds. Its energy density is comparable to that of diesel fuel. As a result, rapeseed oil and the rapeseed methyl ester produced from it, better known as biodiesel, is by far the most important fuel alternative certified as sustainable in Germany and Europe. more...

E-mobility - alternative fuels and their development for use in plug-in hybrid vehicles

The cars of the future will also be powered by electricity. Even today, the proportion of hybrid vehicles, which have an electric motor and a combustion engine, is increasing (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, PHEV). This affects refuelling habits, since the hybrid drive causes the effective fuel consumption to fall meaning fuel remains in the tank longer than before. more...

UFOP welcomes vote to exclude palm oil for biofuel use

The European Parliament has approved the initiative report on the subject “Palm oil and the uprooting of rainforests” with an overwhelming majority. The European Parliament supports the move to exclude palm oil as a raw material for energetic use from 2020, at the same time acknowledging the sustainability of biofuels made from oil plants (rapeseed and sunflower) grown within Europe. more...

Position of the German biofuel value chain on the European Commission's proposal for a recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II)

Today, biofuels contribute 5 per cent of the energy consumed in the transport sector (2015: 31.6 billion Kilowatt hours). This prevents 6.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Today, biofuels are the most important renewable energy source in transport; the contribution of renewable electricity is around one ninth of the contribution of biofuels (3.7 billion KWh annually). In 2015, 2.1 million tonnes of biodiesel, 1.2 million tonnes of bioethanol, 50 million cubic metres of biomethane as well as 2,000 tonnes of plant oil were used as biofuels. more...

Managing board of UFOP pleads for a uniform rapeseed invoicing system

In answer to the on-going discussions, the Board of the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e.V. (UFOP) deems it necessary to state its position on the basis for rapeseed payment terms. more...

French and German oilseed farmers urge for maintenance of mandatory first generation biofuels objectives in the renewable energy directive after 2020

At the invitation of the Union for the promotion of oil and protein plants (UFOP), representatives of the French federation of the producers of oilseeds and proteins crops (FOP) under the leadership of its Vice chairman, Arnaud Rousseau and representatives of the UFOP under the leadership of chairman Wolfgang Vogel spoke on January 25, 2017 in Berlin about the crop situation and sectorial issues. more...

Evaluation and Progress Report 2015

On 5 June 2009, Directive 2009/28/EG of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of electricity from renewable sources (Renewable Energies Directive) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It is part of the EU climate and energy package adopted by the Council on 6 April 2009. This package consists of binding legislation to ensure that the EU achieve its climate and energy goals by 2020... more...

Rapeseed: A Versatile Crop

It seems as if more and more rapeseed is cultivated, but impressions are deceptive. The acreage used for the cultivation of rapeseed for years has not went beyond 1.3 to 1.5 million hectares. Rapeseed is especially known for its oil which makes up to about 42 percent of the seeds. But it is also made of high-value protein which is won during the pressing of the seeds. The so-called rape cake or rapeseed meal is a demanded GMO-free demestic protein feed. more...

Good Reasons For Biofuels

Human-caused climate change is a natural disaster which measured by geological standards is already occurring at a rapid pace and is already visible and noticeable. Agriculture is immediately affected by these changes. It is also part of the solution and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Plan 2020 and Climate Plan 2050 show the challenges of adapting to the decarbonisation of road transport. more...

Biofuels study “Implications of political decisions on biofuels and raw materials markets”

Climate change, related environmental disasters and the results of the climate negotiations in Paris have increased concern, public awareness and the pressure to act with regard to climate protection measures. Renewable energies play a key role in this. Almost without exception, renewable energies markets today are characterised by complex regulatory and funding policy framework conditions. more...

Yellow fields instead of burning forests

UFOP calls for an end to the quota assessment of biofuels made from palm oil in the EU. There must be an end in the EU that biofuels made from palm oil are accounted for quota commitments! The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) is calling for this at the beginning of the discussion on the EU Commission’s proposals to reform the biofuel policy. more...

INVITATION: Fuels of the Future 2017 – International Conference on Renewable Mobility

With the ratification of the Paris agreement on climate change, the signatory states will have to publish binding action plans for decarbonization, particularly, in the transport sector by 2020. At a global level, the decarbonization of transport is one of the most effective ways for realizing the climate protection targets. Next to higher engine efficiencies and the simultaneous hybridization of engine technologies, biofuels will have to play an important role in terms of a bridging function. more...

EU biofuels policy – UFOP in favour of maintaining 7% cap

“The 7% cap for biofuels made from cultivated biomass, first established in 2015, must be maintained beyond 2020.” With this position, the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) rejects the proposal made today by the EU Commission to reform the biofuels policy for the period between 2020 and 2030. more...

European farmers stress the essential role of biodiesel for agriculture and transport decarbonisation post-2020

The European Oilseed Alliance, the European Biodiesel Board and the Vegetable Oil and Protein meal Industry held yesterday a dinner-debate in the European Parliament during which panellists from all backgrounds discussed the role of sustainable biodiesel in the low-carbon economy post-2020. more...

Biodiesel 2015/2016 Report on the Current Situation and Prospects – Abstract from the UFOP Annual Report

The extract gives an overview about the development of the Biodiesel production and sales in Germany and describes the political discussion and decisions affecting Biofuels in Germany. more...

UFOP welcomes German Bundestag’s decision to ratify Paris climate protection agreement

Special role of agriculture legally grounded as a producer of food and raw material - bioeconomy is an important part of the solution. The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) notes that Germany, as one of the leading industrial nations within the community of states, is making a pioneering move with the decision of the German Bundestag to ratify the Paris climate protection agreement. more...

IEA Bioenergy Countries Report

The IEA Bioenergy Countries Report was prepared from IEA statistical data, information from IRENA, and IEA Bioenergy Tasks’ country reports, combined with data provided by the IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee. All individual country reports were reviewed by the national delegates to the IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee, who have approved the content. more...

French and German oilseed farmers urge for turnaround in plant protection policy

At the invitation of Fédération française des producteurs d'oléagineux et de protéagineux (FOP), representatives of FOP under the leadership of its Vice chairman, Arnaud Rousseau and representatives of the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) under the leadership of chairman Wolfgang Vogel spoke on September 7th in Paris about the harvest situation and sectorial issues. more...

Court of Auditors calls for EU commission to improve sustainability certification process for biofuels

In the report published last week, The European Court of Auditors observed considerable room for improvement in the monitoring of the voluntary certification systems approved by the EU Commission. In its evaluation, the Court criticises the fact that the EU Commission only approves the certification systems on the basis of a “file inspection”, but does not monitor them in terms of their actual function. Since the EU Commission has also approved the systems without checking whether they include complaints procedures, there is also no formal procedure for investigating any infringements. more...

Requirements rise for qualified certification of biofuel greenhouse gas balances

With the introduction of the obligation to reduce greenhouse gases on 1st January 2015, companies in the mineral oil sector which are obligated to provide evidence of this will request the most cost-efficient and, in particular, greenhouse gas-efficient biofuels. more...

Certifying biofuels: weaknesses in recognition and supervision of the system, say EU Auditors

Weaknesses in the system of certifying sustainable biofuels could undermine the basis of the EU’s 2020 targets for renewable energy in transport, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors. Under the Renewable Energy Directive, EU Member States can only use biofuels certified as sustainable to reach their 2020 target of sourcing ten per cent of the energy in transport from renewable sources. Most biofuels placed on the EU market are certified through voluntary schemes recognised by the European Commission. But the auditors concluded that the schemes suffer from weaknesses in the Commission’s recognition procedure and in its supervision. “The 2020 targets for sustainable more...

14th international conference “Fuels of the Future 2017”

The 14th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future 2017” will be held on 23-24 January 2017, again in Berlin. The conference is organised by... more...

UFOP Chairman Vogel: continue promoting biofuels after 2020 on the basis of an EU-wide obligation to reduce greenhouse gases

In a letter to the members of the responsible committees of the European Parliament, the Chairman of the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e.V. (UFOP), Wolfgang Vogel, argues the case for continuing to promote biofuels after 2020, including the biofuels that have already been introduced onto the market. more...

Study: Integrated Fuels and Vehicles Roadmap to 2030+

In October 2014, the European Heads of States communiqué agreed on the 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework. This framework set binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and non-binding targets for renewable energy consumption and improvements in energy efficiency. The overall GHG emissions reduction target of -40% (-43% for ETS sector and -30% for non ETS sector) in 2030 below 2005 levels was in line with both the ambition to reduce GHG emissions in the European Union (EU) by 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050 and the vision of the EU White Paper on Transport. more...

Evaluation and Progress Report 2014

The Federal Office of Agriculture and Food (BLE) is the competent authority for the control of the biofuel chain concerning the transposition of the legal requirements of the RED (2009/28/EC) in Germany. Annualy the BLE has to report about the progress of the implementation. Especially the economic operators are obliged to deliver distinct data of the biofuels which are credited against the quota commitments. more...

69 percent of Germans rate biofuels as positive

According to a recent Infratest survey, more than two thirds of all Germans are in fa-vour of biofuels. Even many sceptics would refuel using biofuels if they were guaran-teed sustainability. more...

Obligation to reduce greenhouse gases reduces biodiesel sales

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) sees its expectations regarding the obligation to reduce greenhouse gases, which was introduced in Germany on 1 January 2015, confirmed though the sales trend for biodiesel. more...

Biofuels are back on the EU agenda

Biofuels are returning to the political agenda in Europe as EU policymakers start to shape a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport after 2020. Photo: Phil&Pam Gradwell more...

Introducing a greenhouse gas reduction obligation for fuels throughout Europe and achieving continuous increases of the quota in Germany until 2020

During the international conference “Fuels of the Future”, the German biofuel industry promotes the introduction of a European-wide GHG reduction obligation for fuels and calls for enhanced climate protection on the basis of continuous increases of the existing GHG reduction quota in Germany until 2020 more...

Biodiesel 2014/2015 Report on the Current Situation and Prospects – Abstract from the UFOP Annual Report

The extract gives an overview of the development of Biodiesel production and sales in Germany and describes the political discussion and decisions affecting Biofuels in Germany (e.g. Green-House-Gas Reduction Commitment, Climate Action Plan 2020 and 2050) and within the European Union (e.g. the "iLUC-directive and consequeneces"). more...

Biodiesel sales 2014 – Rapeseed oil most important raw material source

With 1.4 million tons, certified rapeseed oil continues to be the most important raw material source for the share of biodiesel in diesel fuel (B7). This is verified by the evaluation and progress report for the quota year 2014 published by the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food in December 2015. more...

World climate agreement concluded – sustainable biofuels are already making a significant contribution

Sustainable biofuels are a fuel alternative that can be mobilised quickly for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the transport sector. more...

New DIN fuel standard makes it possible to use 20 or 30 per cent biodiesel in vehicle fleets

At the beginning of December 2015, the German Institute for Standardisation, DIN, published the standard for using biodiesel as an admixture component in percentages of up to 20 (B20) or 30 per cent by volume (B30). more...

UFOP calls for the obligation of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in all EU Member States

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e.V. (UFOP) suggests that the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which has been in force in Germany since 1 January, be introduced in all EU member states. more...

Indonesia continues to burn the image of sustainably certified biodiesel

In light of Indonesia's worst forest fires in years, the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e. V. (UFOP) criticises the continued inaction of the Indonesian government and the European Union. more...

Focus Climate Protection in Transport

Within the framework of climate change policy, special attention is paid to road transport. Given the uptrend in registration figures for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, especially heavy goods vehicle traffic has to be seen as a cause for the increase in GHG emissions. more...

Prospects of biodiesel under increasing exhaust emissions regulations

There is especially currently in Germany a lot of public interest regarding the compliance with the legally binding limits for exhaust emissions. Biofuels have to flfil these emission requirements as well, without any ifs and buts. more...

International conference “Fuels of the Future 2016” – Programme is now online

The programme of the 13th International Conference “Fuels of the Future” is now available for you at www.fuels-of-the-future.com. The specialist conference will be held from 18 - 19 January 2016 at CityCube Berlin, the new multifunctional congress hall directly on Berlin’s trade fair grounds. more...

UFOP welcomes the extension to the anti-dumping measures aimed at US biodiesel imports

The EU Commission has extended the anti-dumping and anti-subsidising measures first imposed against US biodiesel imports in July 2009 by a further five years. more...

Agricultural Council approves iLUC Directive

On Monday last week the Agriculture Council approved the directive already adopted by the European Parliament on 28th April 2015 to amend the Renewable Energy and Fuel Quality Directive. more...

UFOP to host the 2019 International Rapeseed Congress in Berlin

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e.V. (UFOP) will be the host for the next International Rapeseed Congress in 2019 in Berlin. The chairman of the International Consultative Group of Research on Rapeseed (GCIRC) has confirmed UFOP's application to host the 15th International Rapeseed Congress. more...

Professor Wolfgang Friedt honoured with Eminent Scientist Award

On the occasion of the 14th International Rapeseed Congress in Saskatoon, Canada, Professor Wolfgang Friedt of Gießen University was awarded the Eminent Scientist Award for his lifework in rapeseed breeding research. more...

UFOP chairman Vogel welcomes the European Parliament's decision on EU biofuel policy

The chairman of the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e.V. (UFOP), Wolfgang Vogel, welcomes the reform of the EU biofuel policy passed with an overwhelming majority by the European Parliament. more...

Fuels of the Future 2016 – Invitation for sponsors and call for papers

The 13th Conference Fuels of the Future will take place on the 18th and 19th January 2016 in Berlin. Please find here the invitation for sponsors and the call for papers. more...

Online Publications Biodiesel & Co.

This flyer offers an overview over publications on subjects such as biofuel policy, GHG balances and biodiesel, which are available for free download on UFOP's website. more...

Press Photos on Rapeseed Flowering 2015

Please find this year's press photos on the rapeseed flowering available for free download here. more...

2015 Rapeseed Flowering

At the moment, there are 1.3 million hectares of rapeseed flowering across Germany in all their yellow splendour. Over the past 25 years, it has established itself as the most important native oil and protein producing crop for feeding both humans and animals as well as its very special role as a raw material for the production of biofuels. more...

Biodiesel in modern EU stage IV diesel engines for agriculture and forestry

A future in which fields are still tilled using biodiesel from rapeseed oil that is certified as sustainable – that is the objective of the project funded by the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture through the Agency for Renewable Resources and by the UFOP now being started at the University of Rostock. more...

Advanced biofuels are a long time coming

The development of innovations and the target dates set by politicians for the introduction of so-called advanced biofuels onto the market do not match up. more...

Biodiesel 2013/2014 Report on the Current Situation and Prospects – Abstract from the UFOP Annual Report

Extracts from the UFOP report 2013/2014. The extracs gives an overview about the development of Biodiesel production and sales in Germany and describes the political discussion and decisions affecting Biofuels. more...

The biodiesel chain calls on European legislators to recognise the direct advantages of biodiesel for the EU’s climate and energy policies, for its agricultural sector and the European economy

Brussels, 21th January 2015. On occasion of the parliamentary event “Biodiesel: Direct Advantages for Europe”, organized by the biodiesel supply chain: European Biodiesel Board, EBB; European Oilseed Alliance, EOA; European vegetable oil and protein meal industry, FEDIOL, prominent researchers have underlined the benefits of biodiesel as well as their reservations regarding the readiness of the iLUC science for EU. Aim of this event that took place immediately after the meeting of the committee "Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), was a first discussion on the ILUC 2nd reading report with 20 members of the European Parliament. more...

Biodiesel Turnover in 2014 Slightly Above Previous Year’s Level

UFOP estimates overall revenue from biodiesel in Germany to amount to approximately 2.3 million tonnes in 2014. The total turnover therefore stands at approx. 100,000 tonnes above that of the previous year, but the UFOP does not expect that the 2011 and 2012 levels will be reached. more...

Rapeseed – Opportunity or risk for the future!?

From the start until the middle of May, the yellow blossoms of rapeseed stamp the agricultural landscape unmistakably across many regions of Germany. The crop was actually sown before winter, at the end of August, and the harvest will begin in July. The vegetation cycle comes to a close in 11 months. more...

12th international conference “Fuels of the Future 2015”

The 12th international conference “Fuels of the Future 2015”, which will be held at Berlin’s new CityCube from 19-20 January 2015, will dedicate both conference days to a broad range of topics along the biofuel value chain. more...

Video: The truth about European biofuels

In Europe, transport accounts for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 97% of all energy used in transport comes from fossil fuels. This is unsustainable. Europe needs a more sustainable energy future. In 2009, the EU passed the Renewable Energy Directive. Europe’s goal was ambitious and sensible: 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. more...

Continuing a sustainable biofuel policy after 2020 UFOP demands statutory measures for habitat conservation instead of iLUC factors

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) demands the continuation of a sustainable European biofuel policy after 2020. The union criticizes that, in its draft for a national climate conservation action program 2020, the Federal Department of the Environment doesn't take bioenergy or biofuels into account. more...

ECOFYS Study – "Greenhouse gas impact of marginal fuels"

Biofuel emission savings „80% better than thought“: Production of biofuels from crops such as rapeseed bring savings of GHG emissions that are 80% higher than levels calculated by the EU’s executive since it underestimates emissions from fossil fuels that are first of all replaced by biofuels, e.g. from oil sands. The new study of the institute Ecofys, Netherlands, comissioned by the European Oilseed Alliance, EOA, (UFOP is a member of this alliance), the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) and the European Vegetable Oil&Protein Meals Industry (Fediol), confirms that the existing fossil fossil comparator of 83,8 gCO2/MJ underestimates the existing emissins of fuels from so called „marginal oils“. Ecofys proposes a conpararotot of 115 gCO2/MJ. more...

EU leaders are halting further decarbonisation of the transport sector

The UFOP fears the phasing out of the decarbonisation strategy in the transport sector (the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels), which has been followed until now, should there be no update to the initial targets for the reduction of green house gas emissions in the transport sector, which are binding for all member states. more...

Despite Biofuels – Warehouses for grains, oil seeds and vegetable oil are overflowing

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) is following the current reporting regarding the situation on the most important agrarian raw materials markets with great concern. more...

UFOP position: The perspective of 2nd generation biofuels in the context of the amendment of the RED/FQD

Since its founding in 1990, UFOP (Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V.) has been pursuing the target of making biodiesel made from rape into a more effective alternative in terms of volume – and hence also in terms of cultivated acreage. Within the framework of the first stage of reformations to the Common Agricultural Policy, farmers in the European Union (EU 15) had to leave an average of 10 per cent of their arable land unused. more...

Germany is going ahead: The introduction of greenhouse gas quotas 2015 – new regulation requirements and consequences for the biofuel industry

Germany, observed by other member states, will change the commitment framework from an energy based quota (currently 6.25 %) to a stepwise increasing greenhouse gas reduction commitment. In October this year the German parliament (Bundestag) decided – 2015: 3,5%; 2017: 4,0%; from 2020: 6,0%. These increasing GHG-reduction commitments have to be fulfilled by the petrol companies (owner of tax warehouses). Not only the big companies of the petrol industry also the small traders, are concerned. more...

Workshop "Towards the Future of Biodiesel” in Graz

The Workshop "Towards the Future of Biodiesel” is organized by the Institute of Chemistry of the University of Graz and takes place in Hotel Weitzer in the city center of Graz at September 18th and 19th, 2014. more...

Scania: New 450 hp engine with SCR only

Scania has now further broadened its already comprehensive range of Euro 6-certified truck engines. Anyone who needs 450 hp, not least European customers with tractor-trailers, can now choose between two versions of Scania’s well known 13-litre engines at that power level. more...

Fuels of the Future 2015 – Invitation for sponsors and call for papers

The 12th Conference Fuels of the Future will take place on the 19th and 20th January 2015 in Berlin. Please find here the invitation for sponsors and the call for papers. more...

Biodiesel: UFOP demands a 4.5 percent rather than a 3 percent greenhouse gas reduction quota

In a letter to Barbara Hendricks, German Federal Minister for the Environment, the Chairman of UFOP, Wolfgang Vogel, has demanded that the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) planned for 2017 be brought forward to 1 January 2015 at the level of 4.5%. more...

Reducing emissions using biofuel blends from engines with SCR catalytic converters

By optimising the dosing quantity of urea in the exhaust aftertreatment (AdBlue), a further reduction of nitrogen oxides at higher levels of biodiesel in diesel fuel is possible. more...

EU climate protection and resource conservation policies not to include biofuels in future?!

The UFOP sees a significant need for research and development in the case of biofuels of the second and third generation. As a result, both these and biofuels from waste oils and animal fats would be unable to fill the supply gap resulting from 2020 onwards, if the subsidising of conventional biofuels is to be phased out, as proposed by the EU Commission. more...

agri benchmark – Understanding agriculture globally

agri benchmark is an international, non-profit-oriented network in which agricultural economists, consultants, sector specialists and producers from agriculture and horticulture can interact and collaborate. Since its foundation in 2007, the UFOP has been supporting this globally interlinked work with numerous partners. more...

Biodiesel sales witness sharp decline in 2013

The sale of biodiesel declined drastically by 300,000 tonnes in 2013 according to the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). During the period 2009 to 2012, biodiesel sales were 2.5 million tonnes on average, this figure only amounting to 2.2 million tonnes in 2013. more...

”indirect Land Use Change” (iLUC) – A critical inventory for objective political decision-making

“Proposal rejected - The EU Commission has failed in the first round with its biofuel legislation on ”indirect Land Use Change”. With this statement Prof. Dr. Uwe Lahl, Technical University of Darmstadt, introduces in his article. more...

Without bioenergy, we would actually have less to eat …

The processing of rapeseeds generates 40 % rapeseed oil, which is used as a raw material for manufacturing biodiesel. The largest proportion (60 %) is rapeseed meal, which is used as valuable protein-rich animal feed. more...

Study: Determinants for the level and volatility of agricultural commodity prices on international markets

With the world-wide explosion in prices for agricultural commodities and basic foodstuffs in the period 2007 to 2008 and the subsequent collapse in 2009 caused by the recession, an intensive discussion has begun on the possible negative consequences of high and volatile prices for world food security. Especially in countries that import foodstuffs, violent protests and revolts have erupted in this respect against the drastic inflation of food prices affecting, above all, the urban population. more...

UFOP Filling Station Study: Rapeseed oil determines the raw material mix in the winter

At 89 %, rapeseed oil is, as expected, the most important raw material of the biodiesel component in diesel fuel, followed by palm kernel oil at 6 percent and palm and soya oil at 4 and 1 percent, respectively. This is the result of the renewed investigation of the raw material composition of diesel fuel at public filling stations commissioned by the UFOP. more...

DBFZ: Check calculation method and standard values of the greenhouse gas balancing for biofuels from residual materials

The Deutsche Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ) in Leipzig comes to the conclusion in its report "Determinants for the re-evaluation of residual and waste materials on the GHG balance of first generation biofuels" that a re-evaluation and correction is called for in regard to the methodology and values specified in the biofuel directives for calculation of the GHG balance for biofuels from residual and waste materials. more...

DBFZ: Revision needed regarding the GHG standard values for biodiesel from animal fats and vegetable waste oils

The German Biomass Research Center (DBFZ) has studied the effect of different transport expenditures involved in the collection of animal fats and vegetable waste oils on the greenhouse gas balance of biofuels produced from these. The DBFZ comes to the conclusion that the standard values specified in Renewable Energies Directive (2009/28/EC) have to be revised. more...

iLUC and sustainability certification – consequences for all areas of use

Apart from the production of biofuels, the use of renewable raw materials is also increasing in other areas, such as their use as a substance. The aim is to reduce the burden on the environment, e. g. by manufacturing vegetable oil-based engine and hydraulic oils or phosphate-free detergents with the help of surfactants based on fatty alcohols. In creating a promotional backdrop for the use of renewable raw materials, demands on sustainability must therefore also be included. more...

Criticism of biofuels – checking the facts

Critics of biofuels – from mineral oil companies to environmental groups – express a wide variety of concerns with regard to ecology, ethics and economics. There is no doubt that biofuels are not a panacea for climate protection and energy transition in the transport sector. However, climate-friendly mobility structures of the future are unrealistic without biofuels. On closer inspection, the accusations made against these energy sources often turn out to be of a generalising nature. In order to avoid shortcircuited arguments, several claims made by critics are to be analysed here. more...

11th International Conference "Fuels of the Future 2014"

The German BioEnergy Association cordially invite all interested persons for the 11th International Conference on Biofuels “Fuels of the Future 2014”, which will be held during 20 - 21 January 2014 in Berlin. The thematic panels have been arranged now. more...

UFOP special publication "Biodiesel & Co" available

UFOP (Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen) has republished the sections of its 2012/2013 annual report that dealt with biodiesel and biofuels as a separate publication entitled "Biodiesel & Co". This special publication includes the sections on the market situation and outlook, the basic legal situation at national and international level, and a substantial statistical annex on biodiesel production and consumption, and on capacity development. The publication also includes the report on the analysis of the raw material composition of biodiesel, about the (B7) blend, which was made available at public petrol stations in the summer of 2013. The publication is available for download free of charge here. more...

UFOP-funded project for the approval of biodiesel as a pure fuel for DEUTZ Agripower engines

The DEUTZ Agripower engines of the series TCD 7.8 L6, TCD 6.1 L6 and TCD 4.1 L4 can be approved for operation with biodiesel as a pure fuel. This is the result of the project successfully completed by DEUTZ AG. In the course of this project, the engines were subjected to extensive field tests in practice, with a conclusive result for DEUTZ common rail injection systems and exhaust gas aftertreatment systems. more...

Final Report: Lowering the boiling curve of biodiesel by metathesis

In general, pure biodiesel is not applicable in modern diesel engines with particulate filters, as the particulate filter regeneration process would lead to a dilution of engine lubricant by the biofuel. Also a larger share of biogenic components in the fuel than the 7% that are permissible according to the diesel fuel standard are regarded as critical by vehicle manufacturers. more...

Biodiesel offers great internal engine potential for reducing particulate emissions

Tests carried out by regineering GmbH, Denkendorf, Germany, on a 1-cylinder test engine confirm great potential for reducing particulates by using biodiesel as opposed to diesel. more...

Joint Opinion Laborde and Lahl on iLUC

Please find here the Joint Opinion on indirect Land Use Change (iLUC) by David Laborde, IFPRI-Institute, and Prof. Dr. Uwe Lahl, Technische Universität Darmstadt, dated 3rd July more...

UFOP Filling Station Study: Raw Material Diversity in Biodiesel Content Increasing

With 53 percent raw material content, rapeseed oil remains the most important raw material source for the production of biodiesel in Germany, followed by palm oil with 25 percent, coconut and soya oil with 11 percent respectively. This is the result of the study presented by the UFOP. more...

Environmental Committee rules in favour of Decline in European Biofuel Production

The compromise reached today in the Environmental Committee of the European Parliament severely jeopardises the prospects of German and European biodiesel production in the view of the UFOP. more...

Indonesia is burning the image of sustainable certified biodiesel

Notwithstanding the international discussion concerning indirect land use changes meanwhile also in conjunction with the biofuel policies of the European Union, the Indonesian government remains inactive in the face of the slash-and-burn threats currently destroying the rainforest. more...

EU imposes anti-dumping duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia

In light of an extremely tense biodiesel market in the European Union due to margin pressure and insolvency, UFOP welcomes the decision of the EU Commission to impose anti-dumping duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia. more...

Finkbeiner-Study refutes IFPRI and iLUC-factors

UFOP greatly welcomes the study results presented this week by Prof. Dr. Matthias Finkbeiner, Technical University Berlin, concerning the scientific resilience of indirect land use effects – iLUC-factors – in eco balances. more...

Indirect Land Use Change (iLUC ) within Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – scientific robustness and consistency with international standards

In his recent study, comparing scientific robustness of iLUC models and their consistency with international GHG emission calculation standards, Prof. Finkbeiner, Chair of Sustainable Engineering and Vice-Director of Environmental Technology at Technical University of Berlin, provides a broad overview of loopholes and weaknesses that put reliance on estimated iLUC factors’ use for policy-making into question. more...

Smudo with RapsPower at the Potsdamer Platz and Nürburgring

The famous musician and race car driver presented both the team and technology of his Bioconcept-Car in Berlin prior to the ADAC 24-hour race more...

OWI annual report 2012

The annual report 2012 of the German Öl-Wärme-Institut (OWI) offers a detailed overview of the current state of research in the area of oil heating and the usage of FAME as a blend component. Here you can download the full report. more...

EU Biofuel policies – DBFZ explains and comments on EU Commission proposals

The Deutsche Biomasseforschungszentrum (German Research Centre for Biomass – DBFZ) was commissioned by the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP) to explain the proposals by the EU Commission regarding the amendment of the Renewable Energies Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive in a technical paper, with commentary on the most important key points. more...

Old plant regulation expires – Certification systems and certification body before the practical test

The UFOP points out that, contrary to biodiesel made from rapeseed, biodiesel made from soya and palm oil does not fullfill this greenhouse gas reduction requirement according to the standard values of the Renewable Energy Directive. more...

Rapeseed – Opportunity or risk for the future!?

From the beginning to the end of May, the blooming rapeseed forms the German landscape. It is the element which forms the cultural landscape in many regions. A new harvest grows, which started with the sowing at the end of August in the previous year. The harvest begins in July so that the cultivation cycle ends after 11 months. more...

Double counting has major effect on biodiesel sales

UFOP demands cap for biodiesel from waste oil. The sale of biodiesel fell again by 2.8 percent to a total of 2.34 million tonnes in 2012. For the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP), the German oilseed grower organisation, this reveals a clear continuation of a worryingly negative trend. more...

Biodiesel 2011/2012 Report on the Current Situation and Prospects – Abstract from the UFOP Annual Report

Extracts from the UFOP report 2011/2012. The extracs gives an overview about the development of Biodiesel production and sales in Germany and describes the political discussion and decisions affecting Biofuels. more...

Videos: Sustainability of biofuels

Biofuels play an important role in the energy concept of the German government. In order to guarantee the sustainability of biofuels rules were enacted. The videos explain the principles of the German "Biofuel Sustainability Ordinance". more...

UFOP "Politics News": Indirect Land Use Change

The introduction of the iLUC factors proposed by the EU Commission must be prevented. Its introduction would have fatal consequences – not just for the German and European biofuels industry! more...

10th Conference on Biofuels “Fuels of the Future”

The participants of the 10th Conference on Biofuels “Fuels of the Future” will meet at Berlin’s International Congress Centre on 21 and 22 January 2013. Germany’s next federal election will be held in September 2013 and lead to new government constellations with a different political orientation. more...

Plate – Tank: Without bioenergy, we wouldn't have more, but less on our plate

There is one central argument in the debate on bioenergy vs. world food which many people are not aware of: Only a small part of the rape plant is actually used for the energy sector in the production of biodiesel: vegetable oil (approx. 40 %). The larger part constitutes the oil meal extracted (approx. 60 %), which is used as feed containing protein in animal nutrition for the production of milk, cheese, eggs and meat. more...

Higher biodiesel prices due to switch of diesel classes

According to the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI), producers of biodiesel offer fuel suitable for autumn temperatures since beginning October 2012. The feedstock for biodiesel is governed by the Cloud Filter Plugging Point (CFPP value). more...

EU must not sabotage the Energy Revolution – Bioenergy and Biofuels are needed!

Joint Explanation of Farming and Bioenergy Production: The plans put forward by the European Commission regarding a change to the Renewable Energies Directive and the Biofuels Directive are an unashamed U-turn. The planned effective halt in the use of biofuels and bioenergy would obstruct the conversion to a supply structure involving renewable energies. more...

European Commission Raises Queries over the Reliability of Biofuel Policy

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e.V. (UFOP) considers the proposals announced by the EC’s General Directorate (GD) for Climate Policy to be a complete renunciation of a reliable, future-oriented climate and biofuel policy. more...

UFOP welcomes the initiation of anti-dumping proceedings against Argentina and Indonesia

In response to a petition from the European Biodiesel Board (EBB), the Commission’s responsible Advisory Committee made a positive decision in the evidentiary procedure for the opening of anti-dumping proceedings against biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia. UFOP e.V. greatly welcomes this decision. more...

UFOP welcomes the BLE's initiative for the intensification of European cooperation

The BLE has announced via a bulletin various errors and false interpretations in the utilization of proof of sustainability for bio fuels. In a newsletter to all nationally recognized certification systems and certification offices in mid-August, among other things, the authority indicated that shiploads of non-European, non-sustainable biodiesel landing at the harbour of Rotterdam repeatedly received the proof of sustainability of sustaining biodiesel produced of European raw material without the non-European, non-sustainable shipload having been unloaded. more...

UFOP questions the scientific quality of the greenhouse gas study from the University of Jena on rapeseed biodiesel

Experts from the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) question the scientific quality of the study "Uncertainties about the GHG Emissions Saving of Rapeseed Biodiesel" published as part of the "Jena Economic Research Papers" series. more...

Element pollution of exhaust aftertreatment systems by using biodiesel (Offprint MTZ 6/2012)

Biodiesel is a particularly attractive fuel for agricultural machinery. However, the introduction of new emission standards has made the use of exhaust gas treatment systems in agricultural vehicles essential. The combination of biodiesel and exhaust gas treatment causes problems, because the biodiesel contains traces of inorganic elements. These turn into ash during the combustion process in the engine, which can result in permanent damage to the components of the exhaust gas treatment system. more...

No Agreement in EU Commission regarding Indirect Land Use Changes – UFOP welcomes intensive discussion

German and European oilseed growers are relieved that the debate centred around appropriate consideration of indirect land use changes (iLUC) has not yet come to a conclusion even after statement in the committee of the Commission on Monday last week. The responsible Directorates General “Climate Protection” and “Energy” have so far not been able to agree on a proposal. more...

UFOP Publishes Report on International Biodiesel Markets

On behalf of the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP), Ecofys Gerrmany GmbH has compiled a report on the market development for biodiesel in the German and international biodiesel markets. The study comes to the conclusion that the trend towards internationalisation is set to continue with an almost exponential growth in biodiesel production and sales. more...

UFOP Opposes Introduction of iLUC Factors for Biofuels

The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) opposes the adoption of iLUC factors specific for biofuels. The introduction of excessive malus points for greenhouse gas production starting in 2017 would put an end to the European Biodiesel industry. Therefore, based on the average Biodiesel sales volume of the years 2008 to 2010, UFOP demands investment protection for all existing Biodiesel production plants, UFOP’s vice chairman, Dietmar Brauer, pointed out when visiting the Agritechnica in Hannover. more...

Biodiesel puts less of a burden on systems for the after-treatment of exhaust gases than previously thought

When it comes to approving exhaust aftertreatment systems, the content of trace elements in fuels plays an important role. All metals that are emitted during engine combustion can increase the exhaust gas backpressure in the aftertreatment system to impermissible values due to the formation of ash. In addition, metal coatings on exhaust aftertreatment systems and catalytic converters are contaminated or deactivated by phosphorous and alkali elements. more...

Specific adsorbents for clean biodiesel

Biodiesel contains mostly still wax-like plant components which impair the quality of the fuel. These can crystallise during storage and are thought to block the fuel filter. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart has developed specific nano-particles which bind these unwanted accompanying substances. more...

Evaluation report concerning the greenhouse gas balance of biodiesel from Canadian rapeseed

The Deutsche BiomasseForschungsZentrum gGmbH (DBFZ) has published a brief study of the greenhouse gas balance of biodiesel from Canadian rapeseed in which it evaluated the suitability of the result as new default value for greenhouse gas for biodiesel based on rapeseed from North America within the framework of the EU Directive 2009/28/EC concerning renewable energies. The DBFZ concludes that the study is not suitable for defining a new default for Canola biodiesel. The aim of the short study was to assess whether the results of the study were suitable for a direct comparison with the default value of biodiesel from the EU Directive as well as the introduction of a new default value for biodiesel produced from Canadian rapeseed. more...

Higher blending quotas for biofuels in the EU

Full utilization of the available biodiesel production capacity is not in sight. According to the “Kingsman” industry information service, some member states have increased their national blending quotas in 2011 in comparison with 2010 on the basis of energy content: more...

An Analysis of iLUC and Biofuels

Regional quantification of climate-relevant land use change and options for combating it. The reason for this study is the EU Commission’s report on the impact of the EU biofuels policy which must be submitted by the end of 2010. To fight climate change, the EU has set its sights on further expanding the use of biomass in its policies – not just for the transport sector. In terms of the effects of EU biofuel policy, the question arises as to whether indirect land use change associated with biofuels should be combated through regulation and, if so, how. Direct land use change brought about by biofuels has already been addressed in the Renewable Energies Directive (2009/28). This study concludes that land use change (LUC) – or converting natural forest, grazing land or fallow land to cropland – continues to be a major problem in some regions of the world, not only for climate protection. The effects of land use change can be direct (dLUC) or indirect (iLUC). If the original use of the land was carbon-rich in the vegetation or in the soil (for example, forest) and the subsequent use is carbon-poor (pastures or crops), LUC increases the amount of carbon dioxide released and thus adversely affects the climate. more...

From the field into the tank and back again

According to legislation in effect since the beginning of 2011, biofuels can only be sold in the German market if it can be demonstrated that the energy plants from which the biofuel is produced were grown in line with the principles of sustainability. The “Biofuels Sustainability Ordinance” translates the EU directive into national law in Germany. The great deal of documentation and certification is to ensure that the biomass for the production of biofuel is not obtained, e.g., from slash-and-burn cultivation in rain forests. more...

Economic and environmental value of European cropping systems that include grain legumes

Grain legume crops could offer many economic and environmental benefits if they were to be grown more widely in European crop rotations. The potential for increase would be great since grain legumes, such as peas, faba beans and lupins, represent only 1%–7% of the arable crops area in the EU, compared with 15%–25% outside Europe. The first article of our special report describes the bottlenecks and prospects for grain legume cultivation and use in different European regions, discovered from questionnaire surveys with more than 500 farmers that do not grow grain legumes.

Download

UFOP demands B30 for commercials and tax shelter for admixed biogenic fuel

On the occasion of the presentation of the fleet project of Coburg College involving the use of hydrogenated vegetable oil as alternative fuel, the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) called upon the German government to go ahead with launching the B30 fuel for commercial vehicles and make the biogenic portion eligible for tax concession. more...

DBFZ study reveals substantial GHG emission reduction potential of biodiesel from rape seed

On the request of the Union zur Förderung von Öl- und Proteinpflanzen (Union for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Protein Plants - UFOP), the Deutsche Biomasse Forschungszentrum (German Research Centre for Biomass - DBFZ) examined several approaches to improving the Green-House-Gas (GHG) saving balance of biodiesel produced from rape seed. The work was based on the so called default values for biodiesel from rape seed in Annex V of the EU Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources (2009/28/EC). According to this default value, the GHG emission saving of biodiesel amounts to approx. 38 % in comparison with fossil fuels. more...

Biomethanol is a poor contributor to improving the GHG balance of biodiesel

Depending on the production method and the inputs, the substitution of natural gas-based methanol by biomethanol can save only approximately 2% to 3% of the total emissions from biodiesel production. However, as the price of methanol is higher, this GHG saving is obtained at the expense of 6% to 7% higher costs of biodiesel production. This is the outcome of a brief study undertaken by Deutsches BiomasseForschungsZentrum (DBFZ) for Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP). more...

Biodiesel 2009/2010 Report on the Current Situation and Prospects – Abstract from the UFOP Annual Report

Extracts from the UFOP report 2099/2010. The extracs gives an overview about the development of Biodiesel production and sales in Germany and describes the political discussion and decisions affecting Biofuels. more...

US Study on Greenhouse Gas Balance of Soy Based Diesel with Inconsistencies

Berlin, August 3, 2010. A new US study on the greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of soy-based diesel has been evaluated by Deutsches BiomasseForschungsZentrum (DBFZ). The study published by the United Soybean Board (USB) concludes that biodiesel produced from soy in the United States achieves a greenhouse gas reduction of 52 % based on defaults. The USB study is analyzed for conformity with European Directive 2009/28/EC both for the methodology applied and the database on which it relies. As a result, the DBFZ finds that even if the method by which the GHG balance is calculated complies with the requirements of the European Directive, the underlying data involves some uncertainties and as such should be looked at more closely. more...

Property Demands on Future Biodiesel

Rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) is currently not suitable for diesel particulate filters. The boiling characteristic of RME is an additional problem that presumably limits its further usability in Euro VI engines. Currently, hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) is in the state of obtaining acceptance as alternative fuel in the German legislation and is in the focus of discussions world-wide. more...

Project report for the release of DEUTZ Euro IV common rail engines for biodiesel out

The availability of release declarations is the precondition for the future marketing of biodiesel as only fuel or as blending component in diesel fuel. With the target of obtaining the release for the TCD 2013 4V of emission level EURO IV with DEUTZ Common Rail injection system in commercial trucks, an engine and function test on the test rig and a field test for making sure of the biodiesel compatibility were performed by DEUTZ AG with financial assistance from the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP). more...

Memorandum submitted by the Associations of the German Biofuel Industries BDBe, UFOP and VDB concerning the Blending of Biofuels

The Associations of the German Biofuel Industries state: - The proportion of biofuels in the fuels market has dropped dramatically since 2008, mainly due to the setback of the market for pure biofuels (B100 and vegetable oil). - The blending of biofuels to fossil fuels cannot compensate the setback of the pure biofuels market. more...

Biodiesel & Co.

The situation and future challanges of the biodiesel sector in Germany and in the European Union 2009/2010 - the implementation of the ordinance for sustainable biofuels. Extracts from the UFOP report 2008/2009 written by Dieter Bockey, Biodiesel specialist of the UFOP. The extract gives an overview about the development of Biodiesel production and sales in Germany and describes the political discussion and decisions affecting Biofuels. more...

Oil Dilution of a Passenger Car Diesel Engine in Operation with blended Diesel Fuel B10

Currently Biodiesel (RME) is mixed according to EN 14214 and EN 590 with up to 5% of fossil Diesel fuel. With a further increase of RME fraction to 10% (B10 blend), there are uncertainties regarding the undisturbed longlife behavior due to variations of the physicochemical properties of RME in comparison to commercial Diesel fuel. more...

No-harm list of oxidation stabilizers for biodiesel

Whenever additives for biodiesel (FAME) are used as blending component in diesel fuel it is very important that the additives are not interacting with the mineral fuel, the additives of the mineral fuel or the engine oil in any forbidden way. In addition to the substance BHT (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-toluene), known as stabilizer of biodiesel for a long time, other substances and products are available in the market. To ensure the safe use, negative impacts of these additives on the performance of the engine must be excluded, from the mixing with the biodiesel (solution behaviour) and the use as blending component in diesel fuel (B7). more...

DEUTZ Tier 3 engines successfully tested with biodiesel

Industrial engines of the TCD 2012 and 2013 series released for operation with biodiesel DEUTZ AG, Cologne, has successfully tested operation of the six-cylinder engines of the 2012 4V series (bore/stroke 101/126 mm) with rapeseed methyl ester (RME). Thus operation of the Tier 3 engines of the 2012 and 2013 series with biodiesel fuel according to DIN EN 14214 can be recommended without any restriction. This is the result of comprehensive tests carried out recently with the support of the “Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen” (UFOP). more...

Environmental Effects of Modern Diesel Fuels and Their Blends

In its 2004 report on sustainable development the previous German government reached the conclusion for fuels that by 2020 the increase in efficiency in diesel and Otto engines as well as innovative power generation concepts will play a central role. Biofuels such as biodiesel will in the future particularly be incorporated as components of blends. The same conclusion was reached by the previous German government for the future use of both Gas to Liquid fuels (GTL) as well as Biomass to Liquid fuels (BTL). Concerning the above formulated theses, the new German government will probably come to a similar assessment, too. more...

Current situation and prospects for biodiesel and vegetable oils as fuels: From niche products to market players

The updated report of the UFOP “Biodiesel and vegetable oils as fuels” offers an overview of the current situation of biodiesel and vegetable oils. In 1990 when the UFOP was founded, biodiesel was an unknown product in Germany. With its inter-professional structure, the association had placed its reliance on this alternative fuel from the very beginning. In the meantime biodiesel has established itself as the biofuel in Germany. more...