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Americas

US appeals court upholds biofuel blending mandates for 2020-2022

A U.S. appeals court upheld a rule from President Joe Biden's administration that set the amount of biofuels that oil refiners were required to blend into the nation's fuel mix from 2020 through 2022, rejecting a challenge by oil refiners to the mandates.

SunGas Renewables, C2X partner to expand green methanol production capacity in North America

SunGas Renewables Inc. and C2X LLC announced a strategic partnership with the aim to develop, own and operate multiple green methanol production facilities in North America to increase the supply of sustainable fuels and advance global decarbonization of hard to abate industries. 

HIF Global secures nearly $165-MM in investments to develop eFuels

HIF Global announced a combined investment from existing shareholders and the Japanese energy company Idemitsu Kosan, securing $164 MM to fund its eFuels projects.

Ethylene downcycle puts nearly 25% of capacity at risk of closure

A series of unprecedented challenges to the global ethylene industry means that as much as 24% of global capacity is now under some threat of permanent closure according to new research by Wood Mackenzie.

Weak Asia refining margins see swing to crude from the Americas

The profit from turning a barrel of crude oil into fuels in Asia is at the lowest in seven months, which is leading refiners to turn away from expensive Middle East grades and seek cheaper alternatives from the Americas.

Russia gained newer diesel trade partners in 2023

In 2023, Brazil and Saudi Arabia replaced France and Germany as the countries with the second- and third-most seaborne diesel imports from Russia after sanctions related to Russia’s petroleum product trade went into effect in February 2023.

NOVA Chemicals launches Canadian Center of Excellence for Plastics Circularity

NOVA Chemicals Corporation announced the launch of its Center of Excellence for Plastics Circularity, a hub for knowledge exchange and technology development for the circular economy of plastics.

U.S. renewable diesel glut hits refiners' margins

A rush by U.S. fuel makers to recalibrate their plants to produce renewable diesel has created a supply glut for low-emissions biofuels, hammering profit margins for refiners and threatening to impede a young industry.

NextDecade plans to take FID on LNG train 4 in 2H of this year

In the company's Q1 business update, NextDecade's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Matt Schatzman, provided an update on the company's LNG terminal project in south Texas (U.S.). 

Vertex Energy pauses renewable diesel output to switch back to fossil fuels, citing macroeconomic woes

U.S. refiner Vertex Energy will pause renewable diesel production at its refinery in Mobile, Alabama, and convert it to produce fossil fuels instead, citing macroeconomic woes which might persist through next year.