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ePaper created 2014-06-03, 15:03:20 | version 1.30.01
35 02 RENEWABLES 2014 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT The United States was followed by Germany and Brazil, which both increased their biodiesel production by around 16% and 5%, respectively, to 3.1 billion litres and 2.9 billion litres. Argentina was the fourth largest producer, at 2.3 billion litres.77 However, Argentina’s production declined almost 10% relative to 2012 as a result of anti-dumping duties placed by the European Commission on imports of U.S. and Argentine biodiesel.78 Demand for biodiesel in China is driven in part by tax and trade incentives. China supplemented its small annual domestic production of under 0.2 billion litres of biodiesel with about 1.9 billion litres of imported fuel.79 These imports took significant market share away from the state’s oil refiners; in response, they boosted exports of petroleum diesel, which led China to levy a consumption tax on imported biodiesel as of 1 January 2014.80 Certification and sustainability requirements have affected international biodiesel trade. To take advantage of lower import duties and feedstock flexibility, for example, EU biodiesel producers have shifted the focus of their imports from biodiesel to vegetable oils, used cooking oils, and animal fats.81 In 2013, the Netherlands saw a strong increase in the import of palm oil and other certified vegetable oils, much of which was processed into HVO at facilities located at Dutch sea ports and then redistributed to other parts of Europe.82 Globally, the production of HVO increased around 16% in 2013, with most production in Europe (1.8 billion litres), Singapore (0.9 billion litres), and the United States (0.3 billion litres).83 Despite the increase in global production of biofuels, several markets faced challenges in 2013. These challenges included sustainability concerns, a reduction in transport fuel demand due to increased vehicle efficiency, and a growing interest in vehicles that run on electricity and compressed natural gas.84 As a result, markets were static in several countries.85 In Australia, for example, biofuels maintained a 0.6% share of the transport fuel mix in 2013, and the fuels have been slow to gain greater acceptance, in spite of the recently extended government grant programmes to encourage production, and a biofuels mandate in New South Wales.86 The use of biomethane as a transport fuel is increasing as well. In Sweden, for example, bus fleets in more than a dozen cities rely entirely on biomethane, local plants produce more than 60% of the total biomethane used in Swedish natural gas vehicles, and more filling stations opened in late 2012 and 2013.87 In Norway, the company Cambi AS liquefies biomethane to provide fuel for a local bus fleet.88 ■■ BIOENERGY INDUSTRY The bioenergy industry includes feedstock suppliers and processors; firms that deliver biomass to end-users; manufacturers and distributors of specialist biomass harvesting, handling, and storage equipment; and manufacturers of appliances and hardware components designed to convert biomass to useful energy carriers and energy services. Some parts of the supply chain use technologies that are not exclusive to biomass (such as forage crop and tree harvesters, trucks, and steam boilers). Rising concerns about sustainability, particularly in Europe and theUnitedStates,haveledgovernmentstodefinenewguidelines and regulations for bioenergy. Industries have responded by adopting a number of initiatives by sector (e.g., for solid biomass in the EU), for power and heat through the Sustainable Biomass Partnership); by feedstock (e.g., the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil); and by fuel (e.g., the Renewable Fuels Association).89 Many bioenergy companies are participating voluntarily in sustainability certification schemes, using best management practices (as endorsed by the industry) for feedstock supply and processing, and absorbing associated costs into their operations. In several developing countries, the industry is also facing regulations that focus on the protection of biodiversity Source: See Endnote 60 for this section. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Biodiesel Ethanol 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Figure 7. Ethanol, Biodiesel, and HVO Global Production, 2000–2013 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 World Total 116.5 Billion Litres Billion Litres Figure 6. Ethanol, Biodiesel, and HVO Global Production, 2000–2013