Biofuels

Unlock strategic growth in the rapidly evolving biofuels market.

Biofuels have grown rapidly and are crucial for decarbonizing global transportation.

ADI Analytics supports refiners, traders, agricultural commodity houses, and biofuel producers with research, strategic consulting, and data analytics to navigate market, commercial, regulatory, economic, technological, and operational issues.

biofuels

Biofuels drive innovation in transportation and energy transition

The renewable fuels and biofuels market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by a combination of regulatory pressure, corporate climate commitments, and evolving societal expectations. Stringent environmental regulations across aviation, road, and marine transport are pushing for cleaner alternatives to fossil-based fuels. In parallel, companies are increasingly pursuing energy transition goals and aligning with ESG principles to attract investment and strengthen their public image. Public support for sustainability is also rising, creating a growing market pull for renewable alternatives.

This momentum is translating into research breakthroughs, commercialization of new technologies, and accelerated deployment of projects. Airlines, for instance, are ramping up adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), signaling strong demand in hard-to-abate sectors. On the supply side, project announcements and investments in production capacity are gaining pace. In addition, major oil and gas companies are actively acquiring assets in ethanol, bio-based diesel, and renewable natural gas (RNG).


Rapid growth in renewable fuels meets critical market constraints

Nonetheless, several challenges must be addressed to enable large-scale adoption. Feedstock sourcing remains a key constraint, especially in balancing cost, scalability, and sustainability. Lifecycle emissions tracking is also critical, as stakeholders must demonstrate genuine climate benefits while avoiding unintended consequences like land-use change, deforestation, and food-versus-fuel tradeoffs.

Government policies play a central role in shaping market growth. In the United States, regulatory programs such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) in California and other states, the Biodiesel Blender Tax Credit (BTC), and clean fuel incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offer financial support and market stability. Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulation (CFR), provincial LCFS programs, and federal carbon pricing systems—like Alberta’s TIER and Saskatchewan’s OBPS—further incentivize renewable fuel deployment.


Navigating complex global policy and advanced technology hurdles

Advanced biofuels produced from waste biomass, algae, or other non-food sources will be essential to ensure long-term sustainability, but their commercialization is still in early stages. As the industry matures, lifecycle assessments (LCAs) are becoming more complex, requiring more robust data and verification practices.

In the European Union, the evolving Renewable Energy Directives (RED) framework, now formalized under RED III, defines ambitious blending mandates and emission reduction targets. Building on RED I and II, RED III significantly raises the binding EU-wide renewable energy target, driving accelerated adoption, particularly in the transport sector. These frameworks generate credits such as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and LCFS credits, which are essential to project economics. However, rising complexity in credit trading, verification, and price discovery continues to challenge participants across the biofuels ecosystem.

How ADI helps

ADI Analytics supports clients across the renewable fuels and biofuels sector with consulting and research services that guide development, policy response, and investment strategy:

  • Market intelligence & forecasting including feedstock and fuel demand modeling, pricing and margin tracking, credit valuation, and regional supply-demand analysis.
  • Technology assessment & innovation strategy involving evaluation of biofuel production pathways, conversion technologies, technology readiness assessments, carbon intensity modeling, and support for commercialization strategies of emerging technologies.
  • Policy analysis & regulatory support covering compliance strategy development, evaluation of LCFS and RFS credit markets, and modeling of IRA and international incentive programs.
  • Project evaluation & sourcing strategy such as feasibility studies, site and feedstock screening, economic modeling, and risk assessment across biodiesel, ethanol, SAF, RNG, and co-processing routes. This also includes evaluation of emerging fuel types such as bio-based syn-gas and pyrolysis oil.
  • Strategic planning & commercial support including M&A due diligence, market entry strategy, competitive intelligence, offtake structuring, and long-term decarbonization and investment roadmaps.

Industry experience

U.S. refined product export market outlook

ADI forecasted the growth of U.S. fuel exports to Latin America by analyzing regional macroeconomics, vehicle fleet dynamics, and biofuel blending mandates. The study identified structural supply gaps in Latin America and the analysis focused on evaluating the cost-competitiveness of U.S. refiners in meeting stringent new low-sulfur fuel regulations across the region. The client Multi-client […]

Strategic assessment of IRA incentives for refiners

ADI analyzed the stackable tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act to prioritize decarbonization projects at existing refining assets. The study mapped technical pathways for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), blue hydrogen, and carbon capture against regional infrastructure and environmental justice criteria. This effort identified how loan guarantees and transferability provisions can de-risk capital projects […]

Novel bio-oil upgrading and olefin monetization technology scouting

ADI conducted a technical scan of non-hydroprocessing routes for upgrading biomass-derived pyrolysis oil, focusing on solvent extraction and membrane-based fractionation. The assessment identified high-value chemical pathways for light olefin streams, benchmarking potential products like acrylic acid and lube additives against minimum economic scale (MES) requirements. The client Biomass conversion technology developer The situation Uncertainty regarding […]

Sustainable aviation fuel technology and supply outlook

ADI explored the recovery of global jet fuel demand post-COVID-19. The study analyzed seven ASTM-approved SAF pathways to identify the pathway that will dominate supply and/or offer the greatest decarbonization potential over the long term. Cost analysis was conducted to assess drivers of SAF costs compared to conventional jet fuel. The client Venture capital firm […]

Biofuel cost and economic models

ADI Analytics partnered with a national oil company to develop a robust suite of biofuel cost and economic models. This collaborative project empowered the client to make strategic biofuel investment decisions with greater confidence.  The client National oil company The situation Biofuel strategy assessment to evaluate investment feasibility and optimize portfolio. ADI’s contributions Scenario definition Our […]

SAF strategy for a Middle Eastern NOC

ADI developed the SAF strategy for an integrated, national oil company in the Middle East beginning with funding a few start-ups. The client Middle Eastern national oil company integrated across the oil & gas value chain The situation Interested in developing strategy for SAF, renewable diesel, and RNG ADI’s contributions Landscape assessment Analyzed policy and […]

Strategic insights on biofuels practices

ADI Analytics conducted voice-of-customer research through a two-phase primary research approach. The client A leading manufacturer of analytical instruments and test equipment. The situation Understand the operational practices of biofuels storage, blending, testing, and certification within refining companies. ADI’s contributions Content needed. Interviewing operators Interviewed 15-20 operators, including majors, National Oil Companies (NOCs), and independent […]

Global airline’s SAF sourcing plan

ADI has advised a global airline carrier with its SAF sourcing plan The client International airline carrier The situation Interested in developing its SAF sourcing and procurement plan ADI’s contributions Demand analysis Comprehensive SAF demand analysis, exploring current trends and future projections in the SAF market. Supply analysis Evaluated existing production facilities and future supply […]

Biogas/RNG adsorbents market

ADI analyzed market drivers, segmentation, and growth opportunities for adsorbents used in biogas and RNG treatment for a global specialty chemicals company. The client A global specialty chemicals company The situation The client sought to understand key applications for adsorbents in biogas and RNG treatment, assess market size and segmentation, and identify growth opportunities globally. […]

Biofuels strategy for carbon reduction

ADI helped an integrated oil refiner enhance its biofuels strategy to meet carbon reduction goals. The client An integrated oil refiner The situation The client needed to evaluate and optimize its biofuels strategy as part of a broader program to meet carbon reduction obligations. ADI’s contributions Renewable fuel purchase and blending Evaluated processes for purchasing […]

Biofuels market entry study for a European refiner

ADI conducted an in-depth biofuels study to support a European refining independent considering entry into the North American market. The client A European refining independent The situation The client was evaluating opportunities to enter the North American market and needed a comprehensive understanding of supply, demand, and pricing dynamics for refined products and biofuels. ADI’s […]

SAF investment feasibility study

An Indian oil company engaged ADI to conduct a feasibility study for its first SAF investment in a new greenfield project. The client Indian refining company The situation Feasibility study to assess investment in a greenfield SAF project ADI’s contributions Comprehensive policy analysis Evaluated existing and emerging policies on SAF including incentives and mandates in […]

European biomass sourcing strategy

An integrated oil & gas player in Europe leveraged ADI’s research and analytics to develop its biomass feedstock sourcing strategy. The client European integrated oil & gas and petrochemical company The situation Support for biomass feedstock sourcing strategy for captive use and trading ADI’s contributions HVO and SAF market research Analyzed the North American and […]

Corrosion monitoring technology assessment

This assessment by ADI evaluated a fixed, wireless sensor network designed for continuous corrosion monitoring across hazardous upstream, refining, and chemical assets. Analytical modeling incorporated scale-driven reductions to project revenue over a 10-year period. The study surfaced trade-offs between system mobility and the high installation costs of competing fiber optic or electrical resistance probes. The […]

Global hydrogen demand assessment

ADI leveraged proprietary demand models to project hydrogen consumption across heavy-duty trucking and bus segments in North America, East Asia, and Europe. The study evaluated pump-price parity across regions and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on green hydrogen adoption over a 10-year period. The client Clean technology provider The situation Ambiguity regarding […]

Customer Results
ADI has done a great job of pulling specific information together, especially around SAF and SPK. We look to ADI for specialized information around SAF and renewable fuels.
Jeff Warmann CEO & President, Monroe Energy

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