Council Details Ethanol Policy Expansion Across Asia-Pacific At Global Bioenergy Forum

(U.S. Grains Council) The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently participated in the 10th Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) Bioenergy Week, sharing with 120 bioenergy stakeholders the growing role of fuel ethanol as a transport decarbonization tool across the Asia-Pacific Region.

The 10th GBEP Bioenergy Week, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), was held in late October in Bangkok, Thailand. While the event highlighted global bioenergy developments and initiatives, this year’s event was especially focused on the Asia-Pacific region, where bioenergy is a key component for meeting rising energy demand while moving toward net-zero targets.

“The GBEP is an essential platform for regional and global bioenergy leaders – from both the public and private sectors – to discuss and exchange knowledge on industry trends, best practices and opportunities and challenges in the bioenergy sector,” said Chris Markey, USGC assistant regional director for Southeast Asia and Oceania.

“The Council continuously supports GBEP members with ethanol knowledge exchange and capacity building programs that augment decarbonization efforts and mutually beneficial economic growth and income generation,” Markey added.

The Council’s presentation analyzed the driving factors for increasing ethanol adoption by regional policymakers and consumers and provided an outlook on production and policy developments through 2030. Ethanol usage across the Asia-Pacific region – which consists of East, North and Southeast Asia and Oceania – continues to expand as policymakers and industry stakeholders look to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector, bolster fuel security, stimulate new investment and provide consumers relief at the pump.

Exports to the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 12 percent of the United States’ ethanol export volumes for the 2022-2023 marketing year, and more than 25 percent of export volumes when excluding North American destinations. Consumption is expected to increase in the coming years due to planned policy expansions against the backdrop of strong economic growth and rising incomes. The International Monetary Fund forecasts the Asia-Pacific region will contribute nearly 50 percent of global economic growth in 2023.

The Council’s presentation also outlined the potential for ethanol use in new-use areas emerging across the region, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and bioplastics. For instance, Thailand, the host country for GBEP Bioenergy Week, aims to produce one million liters per day (264 thousand gallons) of SAF from ethanol by 2035 and establish a regional “bioplastics production hub” by 2027 to leverage domestic ethanol capabilities in the country. READ MORE

Excerpt from U.S. Grains Council: The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) kicked off 2024 by adding staff members to its offices in Washington, D.C., and Beijing, China, and welcoming a consultant specializing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Evelyn Li joined the Council’s Beijing office on Jan. 8 as its administration and compliance coordinator, where she will oversee day-to-day operations and support Council missions and programs there.

Before joining the Council, Li worked as an administrative assistant for Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, a leading global law firm based in China; as a senior program manager for Country Holidays International Travel Service; and as an operations manager at UMICE International Conference Services.

Li earned a master’s degree in international marketing from Hult International Business School.

“Evelyn has a wealth of experience in a variety of international workplaces, and she will be a valuable asset not only to our team here in Beijing, but also to all Council members and staff during their work and travels in China,” said Manuel Sanchez, USGC director in China.

Mark Ingebretson became the Council’s SAF global policy consultant on Jan. 8 and will play a key role in developing strategic plans and programming focused on SAF policies for the Council’s international offices regarding alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology that uses U.S. corn-based ethanol or U.S.-produced SAF amid growing demand for low-carbon aviation fuel.

Ingebretson previously worked at Phillips 66, where he gained extensive experience in the refined fuels sector, international business development initiatives and stakeholder engagement. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Rice University in Houston.

“As we continue to advocate for corn ethanol based SAF as a vital decarbonization tool within the aviation sector, the Council felt it was vital to gain Mark’s expertise and leverage it into promoting environmentally friendly policy changes that implement and take advantage of U.S.-sourced SAF product across the globe,” said Mackenzie Boubin, USGC director of global ethanol export development.

Rebecca Williams joined the Council on Jan. 9 as its new manager of industry relations. In this role, she will handle coordination and communication between the Council, its members and state checkoff partners.

Williams previously managed operations at Pop Fizz and also has experience in international trade, customer service and public speaking. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and psychology from Portland State University.

“I’m so excited to bring Rebecca to the industry relations team and I know she will be a great asset to our members and make a positive impact during our annual meetings and on our programs,” said Ellen Zimmerman, USGC director of industry relations.