U.S. operatable biofuel production capacity was unchanged in November 2024, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Jan. 31. Feedstock consumption was up from both the previous month and November 2023.
Total U.S. biofuel production capacity was at 24.885 billion gallons per year in November, unchanged from the previous month, but up 1.076 billion gallons per year when compared to November 2023.
Fuel ethanol production capacity was at 18.31 billion gallons per year in November, unchanged from October, but up 481 MMgy when compared to the same month of the previous year.
Biodiesel capacity was at 1.995 billion gallons in November, a volume that has held steady since August 2024. When compared to November 2023, biodiesel capacity was down 88 MMgy.
Capacity for renewable diesel and associated fuels, including renewable heating oil, renewable jet fuel, renewable naphtha, renewable gasoline, and other biofuels and biointermediates, was at 4.58 billion gallons per year in November, unchanged from the previous two months. When compared to November 2023, capacity for renewable diesel and associated fuels was up 683 MMgy.
According to the EIA, U.S. biofuel producers consumed 30.026 billion pounds of feedstock in November, up from 29.713 billion pounds the previous month and 28.611 billion pounds in November 2023.
Producers consumed 26.408 million pounds of corn in November, up from 26.133 billion pounds in October and 25.601 billion pounds in November of the previous year.
Grain sorghum consumption was at 273 million pounds in November, up from 195 million pounds the previous month and 78 million pounds in November 203.
Biofuels producers consumed 1.192 billion pounds of soybean oil in November, with 724 million pounds of that volume consumed by biodiesel plants and 467 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel plants. Soybean oil consumption was at 1.227 million pounds in October, with 709 million pounds of that volume going to biodiesel production and 518 million pounds going to renewable diesel production, and at 1.065 billion pounds in November 2023, with 613 million pounds consumed at biodiesel plants and 452 million pounds consumed at renewable diesel plants.
Canola oil consumption was at 410 million pounds in November, with 120 million pounds consumed by biodiesel plants and 290 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel facilities. Canola oil consumption was at 454 million pounds the previous month, including 138 million pounds consumed for biodiesel and 316 million pounds consumed for renewable diesel, and at 291 million pounds in November 2023, with 138 million pounds of that volume going to biodiesel production and 153 million pounds going to renewable diesel production.
Corn oil consumption was at 404 million pounds in November, with 63 million pounds going to biodiesel production and 341 million pounds going to renewable diesel production. Corn oil consumption was at 421 million pounds the previous month, with 65 million pounds going to biodiesel and 356 million pounds going to renewable diesel. Corn oil consumption was at 353 million pounds in November 2023, but the EIA withheld data on consumption by producer type to avoid disclosure of individual company data.
Biofuel producers also consumed 696 million pounds of tallow, 543 million pounds of yellow grease, 56 million pounds of white grease, 21 million pounds of poultry fat and 23 million pounds of other fats, oils and greases in November. Consumption was at 592 million pounds, 604 million pounds, 46 million pounds, 24 million pounds and 16 million pounds, respectively, in October, and at 467 million pounds, 626 million pounds, 34 million pounds, 20 million pounds, and 17 million pounds, respectively, in November 2023.
The EIA withheld data on several feedstocks types, including agriculture and forestry residues, other agriculture and forestry products, other vegetable oils, other recycled feeds and wastes, and other biofuel feedstock not elsewhere specified or identified to avoid disclosure of individual company data.
Additional data is available on the EIA website.
