EIA: Ethanol capacity expands in July, renewable diesel capacity contracts
U.S. ethanol capacity grew in July to 18.307 billion gallons, up 104 MMgy from June. Meanwhile, renewable diesel capacity dropped to 4.598 billion gallons, and biodiesel capacity remained steady at 2.022 billion gallons. Feedstock consumption rose to 30.698 billion pounds, primarily corn and soybean oil, marking an increase from both the previous month and July 2023.
U.S. ethanol capacity expanded in July, while renewable diesel capacity fell and biodiesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Sept. 30. Feedstock consumption was up when compared to both the previous month and July 2023.
Ethanol capacity expanded to 18.307 billion gallons in July, up 104 MMgy when compared to the previous month and up 600 MMgy when compared to July of last year.
Biodiesel capacity was at 2.022 billion gallons per year in July, a level maintained since May. When compared July 2023, biodiesel capacity was down 62 MMgy.
Capacity for renewable diesel and associated fuels, including renewable heating oil, renewable jet fuel, renewable naphtha, renewable gasoline and other biofuels and biointermediates, fell to 4.598 billion gallons per year in July, down 299 MMgy when compared to June, but up 892 MMgy when compared to July of last year.
Total U.S. operable biofuels capacity was at 24.927 billion gallons per year in July, down 195 MMgy when compared to the previous month, but up 1.432 billion gallons per year when compared to July 2023.
U.S. biofuel producers consumed approximately 30.698 billion pounds of feedstock in July, up from 28.584 billion pounds the previous month and 28.667 billion pounds in July 2023. The consumption of feedstocks commonly used to produce ethanol in July was up significantly when compared to both the previous month and July of last year. The consumption feedstocks commonly used to produce biobased diesel fuels was also up when compared to both June and July 2023.
Biofuel producers consumed 27.097 billion pounds of corn in July, up from 24.984 billion pounds in June and 25.493 billion pounds in July of last year. Grain sorghum consumption was at 137 million pounds in July, up from 129 million pounds the previous month, but down when compared to the 255 million pounds consumed in July 2023.
Biofuel producers consumed 1.139 billion pounds of soybean oil in July, including 642 million pounds consumed by biodiesel plants and 497 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel facilities. Soybean oil consumption was at 1.267 billion pounds in June, including 578 million pounds consumed at biodiesel plants and 689 million pounds consumed at renewable diesel facilities, and at 1.273 billion pounds in July of last year, including 679 million pounds consumed by biodiesel producers and 594 million pounds consumed at renewable diesel plants.
A total of 546 million pounds of canola oil was used to produce biofuel in July, including 139 million pounds consumed by biodiesel plants and 407 million pounds consumed at renewable diesel facilities. Canola oil consumption was at 386 million pounds in June, with 162 million pounds of that volume going to biodiesel production and 224 million pounds going to renewable diesel production, and at 296 million pounds in July, with biodiesel consumption at 164 million pounds and renewable diesel consumption at 132 million pounds.
U.S. biofuel producers also consumed 349 million pounds of corn oil in July, with 85 million pounds of that volume going to biodiesel production and 264 million pounds used to produce renewable diesel. Corn oil consumption was at 403 million pounds in June, with 80 million pounds consumed by biodiesel plants and 324 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel facilities. Corn oil consumption was at 359 million pounds in July of last year, with 89 million pounds going to biodiesel production and 270 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel facilities.
Biofuel producers consumed 665 million pounds of beef tallow, 657 million pounds of yellow grease, 68 million pounds of white grease, 23 million pounds of poultry fat and 19 million pounds of other waste oil, fats and greases in July. Consumption was at 567 million pounds, 714 million pounds, 57 million pounds, 21 million pounds, and 18 million pounds, respectively, in June, and at 367 million pounds, 481 million pounds, 66 million pounds, 9 million pounds and 13 million pounds, respectively, in July 2023.
The EIA withheld data on the consumption of agricultural and forestry residues, other agricultural and forestry products, other vegetable oils, other recycled feeds and wastes, and other biofuel feedstocks not elsewhere specified or identified to avoid disclosure of individual company data.
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