Key Findings

  1. 60% of ethanol feedstocks come from maize, 22% from sugarcane
  2. 70% of biomass-based diesel feedstocks are vegetable oils, 24% from used cooking oil/tallow
  3. 52% of global vegetable oil goes to food, 18% already goes to biomass diesel
  4. Vegetable oil use for biomass diesel in Indonesia: 12.6 Mt by 2034
  5. Current system is still heavily agriculture-anchored, even as waste pathways expand

Key Insights

  1. Agriculture vs Energy: Vegetable oils are the main collision point between food and fuel demand. Brazil drives the global sugar-to-fuel swing.
  2. Waste-based feedstocks: 81% of EU SAF in 2024 came from used cooking oil. ∼30% growth expected in global biogas/biomethane demand 2024–2030.
  3. New commodity class: Waste feedstock access now depends on collection, certification, traceability, and long-term contracts, not spot markets.
  4. Conflict & trade: Wars, freight disruption, and policy screens now directly shape feedstock strategy. World Bank projects 24% energy price increase in 2026.

What This Report Delivered

  • A practical advisory framework for buyers, investors, developers and policy teams covering:
  • Feedstock competition: Food vs fuel tension points
  • Waste-based opportunities: UCO, tallow, ag residues, biomethane
  • Regional market signals: US, Brazil, Indonesia, India, EU battlegrounds
  • Commercial action priorities: Portfolio strategy, traceability, conflict stress-testing

What This Means for Event Companies

The report maps stakeholder needs to specific event formats. High-impact formats include:

  • Grower briefing for farmers facing crop-to-fuel optionality
  • Procurement workshop for food processors competing with biofuel buyers
  • Strategy roundtable for refiners needing traceable feedstocks
  • Risk review for import-dependent economies exposed to edible oil shocks
  • Policy forum for governments balancing food security, climate, and energy