Platts proposes German ethanol assessment

Following initial discussions with industry participants, Platts is proposing to introduce a European fuel-grade, undenatured ethanol price assessment for the German market.

The assessment will be basis FOB Rotterdam T2 in euro/cubic meters reflecting fuel-grade ethanol that has Sustainability Criteria certifications obtained from any certification system that is accredited by Germany's Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (Bundesanstalt fur Landwirtschaft und Ernahrung, or BLE).

At this present moment, the BLE has accredited two certification systems -- the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and REDcert -- as fulfilling the requirements of the German Biomass Sustainability Ordinance (Biokraft-NachV). Should other certification systems be accredited by the BLE in the future, this will be taken into the Platts assessment process.

In addition, should the European Commission approve other sustainability certification systems and these systems are accepted by the BLE as fulfilling the requirements of the German Biomass Sustainability Ordinance, these will also be taken into Platts assessment process.

Assessments are for ethanol conforming to the latest edition of the European standard EN 15376 specifications for automotive fuels -- ethanol as a blending component for gasoline.

Please provide feedback to Ilana Djelal at ilana_djelal@platts.com, copy petchems@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.com by February 4, 2011.