New Study Shows U.S. Oilseed Feedstock Production Exceeds Existing Federal Renewable Fuel Requirements; Domestic Feedstocks to Support Additional 1.4 Billion Gallons of U.S. Biofuel Production by 2030

(National Oilseed Processors Association) The National Oilseed Processors Association commissioned S&P Global Commodity Insights to review the present and future availability of biofuel feedstocks to support U.S. biofuel production and consumption. -- A new study shows feedstocks produced within the U.S. are on track to support domestic production of an additional 1.4 billion gallons of renewable diesel and biodiesel, also known as biomass-based diesel (BBD), by 2030. Commissioned by the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) and conducted by S&P Global Commodity Insights, the report verified that the U.S. oilseed industry is ready and able to meet higher Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and beyond as the industry has invested $6 billion to expand U.S. crushing capacity by nearly 30% relative to 2023 installed capacity.

The study evaluated the global and domestic supply and availability of feedstocks relative to the feedstock needs implied by the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) RVOs. In 2023 alone, domestic and imported feedstocks supported the production of 4.3 billion gallons of BBD, surpassing the yearly RVO targets for 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The study found that with planned expansions to U.S. oilseed processing capabilities, domestic feedstocks alone can support the production of an additional 1.4 billion gallons of BBD by 2030 while imported sources can further support an additional 1 billion gallons, for a combined total of 6.7 billion gallons of supported BBD production by 2030.

“The study’s findings make it clear that the U.S. oilseed industry is more than capable of meeting and exceeding demand for food, feed and fuel well into the next decade,” says Kailee Tkacz Buller, NOPA President and CEO. “While NOPA members were disappointed in the last RVO announcement due to lower than anticipated volumes, we remain optimistic that we now have the comprehensive data on our side to make the case that RVOs can and should be higher in 2026 and beyond. Higher RVOs will not only help achieve our decarbonization goals at a faster pace, but will provide NOPA members with the clarity and certainty we need to continue to expand our U.S. manufacturing facilities and crush more U.S. farmer-grown oilseeds.”

Today’s (July 9, 2024) newly released study confirms that as demand grows and more states implement incentives and credits from Low Carbon Fuel and Clean Fuel Programs, the U.S. oilseed sector offers homegrown low carbon alternatives that will help move the U.S. away from petroleum dependency, advance air quality benefits nationwide, and strengthen the domestic rural economy.

About National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA):

Founded in 1930, NOPA is the national trade organization located in Washington, DC representing the U.S. soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed, and sunflower seed crushing industries. Our 15 members operate a total of 62 soybean & 5 softseed solvent extraction plants across 21 states. NOPA members produce meal and oil used in human food, animal feed, fuel and for industrial applications. Collectively, NOPA members process 95 percent of all soybeans in the U.S. which accounts for approximately 2 billion bushels annually with a total economic impact of $124 billion on the U.S. economy. For more information on NOPA, visit www.nopa.org. READ MORE

Excerpt from Oak Ridge National Laboratory: The United States has enough biomass potential to produce 35 billion gallons per year of aviation biofuel by 2050, a new report confirms.

The report examined the role of biomass in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the economy, including opportunities to reach negative emissions. It includes data from the ORNL-led 2016 Billion-Ton Report that identified potential biomass from agricultural and forestry residues, wastes and bioenergy crops.

The latest 2023 Billion-Ton Report identifies up to 1.7 billion tons per year of potential biomass, including winter oilseed crops for jet biofuels.

Carbon-negative bioenergy is expected to be essential to a net-zero emissions economy and could account for 4% to 11% of the nation’s total energy mix by 2050, according to the DECARB report. READ MORE