August biodiesel sales more than double on year in UK

In the United Kingdom, S&P Global Platts reports that biodiesel sales in the UK hit a record high in August of 133 million liters, up 14% on the month and more than doubling on the year, according to customs data. Ethanol sales also reached the highest so far this year at 67 million liters, up 3.1% on the month and 4.7% on the year.

Biofuel consumption far outperformed the equivalent fossil fuel consumption. Diesel demand was unchanged on the month and up 1.9% on the year to 2.575 billion liters, bringing the August biodiesel incorporation rate to 5.2%, from 4.5% in July and 2.5% the previous year.

So far this year, biodiesel consumption totaled 736 million liters, an increase of 58% compared with the same period in 2017.

For 2018, S&P Global Platts Analytics expects biodiesel sales in the UK to increase to 812 million liters from 687.50 million liters in 2017, while ethanol sales are expected to increase to 760 million liters, from 753 million liters last year, despite the closure of the Vivergo plant. Both are expected to be supported by the rise of the biofuels mandate to 7.25% in April, from 4.75%.