Total U.S. biofuel operatable production capacity was up slightly in November, with gains for ethanol, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Jan. 31. Total feedstock consumption was down slightly from October.
Total biofuels production capacity reached 23.765 billion gallons per year in November, up 108 MMgy from the previous month and up 1.741 billion gallons per year when compared to November 2022.
Ethanol capacity reached 17.829 billion gallons per year in November, up 108 MMgy compared to the previous month and up 652 MMgy when compared to the prior year.
Biodiesel production capacity was at 2.079 billion gallons per year in November, a level maintained from the previous month. When compared to November 2022, biodiesel capacity was down 13 MMgy.
Capacity for renewable diesel and associated fuels, which includes renewable heating oil, renewable jet fuel, renewable naphtha, renewable gasoline and other biofuels and biointermediates, was at 3.857 billion gallons in November, flat with the previous month, but up 1.102 billion gallons per year when compared to November 2022.
U.S. biofuel producers consumed approximately 28.615 billion pounds of biofuel feedstock in November, down less than 1% when compared to the 28.812 billion pounds of feedstock consumed the previous month, but up more than 3% when compared to the 27.693 billion pounds of feedstock consumed in November of the previous year.
The consumption of feedstocks primarily used in ethanol production, including corn and grain sorghum, reached approximately 25.686 billion pounds in November, down less than 1% when compared to the 25.878 billion pounds consumed in October, but up from nearly 1% when compared to the 25.521 billion pounds consumed in November 2022.
The consumption of feedstocks primarily used in the production of biobased diesel and associated fuels reached 2.869 billion pounds in November, down slightly from the 2.875 billion pounds consumed the previous month, but up approximately 36% when compared to the 2.105 billion pounds of consumed in November of the previous year.
According to the EIA, biofuel producers consumed 25.608 billion pounds of corn in November, compared to 25.762 billion pounds in October and 25.23 billion pounds in November 2022. Grain sorghum consumption was at 78 million pounds in November, down from 116 million pounds in October and 291 million pounds in November of the previous year.
Soybean oil consumption was at 1.062 billion pounds in November, including 613 million pounds consumed by biodiesel plants and 449 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel plants. Soybean oil consumption was also at 1.062 billion pounds the previous month, but with 645 million pounds consumed by biodiesel producers and 416 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel plants. Soybean oil consumption was at 943 million pounds in November 2022, including 594 million pounds consumed by biodiesel producers and 350 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel facilities.
The EIA reported corn oil consumption was at 353 million pounds in November, but withheld data on the volume of corn oil consumed by biodiesel and renewable diesel plants to avoid disclosure of individual company data. Corn oil consumption was at 324 million pounds the previous month, with 76 million pounds of that volume going to biodiesel producers and 248 million pounds going renewable diesel production. Corn oil consumption was at 278 million pounds in November 2022. The EIA however, did not start breaking down corn oil consumption data by producer type until August 2023.
Biofuel producers consumed 291 million pounds of canola oil in November, with 138 million pounds going to biodiesel production and 153 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel facilities. Canola oil consumption was at 286 million pounds in October, including 165 million pounds consumed for biodiesel production and 120 million pounds consumed for renewable diesel production. Canola oil consumption was at 113 million pounds in November 2022, but the EIA did not start breaking down canola oil consumption data by producer type until August 2023.
Biofuel producers also consumed 626 million pounds of yellow grease, 467 million pounds of beef tallow, 34 million pounds of white grease, and 20 million pounds of poultry fat in November. Consumption was at 668 million pounds, 450 million pounds, 53 million pounds, and 15 million pounds, respectively in October, and at 511 million pounds, 180 million pounds, 60 million pounds, and 19 million pounds, respectively, in November 2022. Producers also consumed 17 million pounds of other fats, oils and greases in November, flat with the previous month. The EIA withheld data on the volume of other fats, oils and greases consumed in November 2022 to avoid disclosure of individual company data.
According to the EIA, an additional 60 million pounds of feedstock classed as “other” recycled feeds and waste went to biofuel production in November, up form 59 million pounds the previous month, but down from 67 million pounds in November of the previous year. The agency withheld data on the volume of yard and food waste, other vegetable oils, other agriculture and forestry products, and other feedstocks not elsewhere specified or identified in order to avoid disclosure of individual company data.
