Platts opens consultation on Ethanol T2 FOB Rotterdam assessments

S&P Global Platts is opening a formal consultation on its Ethanol T2 FOB Rotterdam and its Ethanol T2 FOB Rotterdam German Spec assessments, particularly around how best to reflect the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) savings on fuel-grade ethanol traded in the European market.

Both assessments currently reflect material with sustainability documentation showing minimum GHG savings of 50% when compared with the fossil fuel comparator, as per the European Union's Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) and the prevailing Renewable Energy Directive (RED) requirement.

Since October 2012, the value of Ethanol T2 FOB Rotterdam German Spec has been calculated at parity with the Ethanol T2 FOB Rotterdam assessment, in line with a subscriber note published on October 1, 2012. When the T2 FOB Rotterdam Germany Spec assessment was launched, Germany had different sustainability requirements to those in ARA. Following the introduction of a pan-European framework, however, this distinction was no longer evidenced in market information.

While biofuels consumed in the EU are currently required to have minimum GHG savings of 50% when compared with the fossil fuel comparator, Platts understands there is increasing demand for ethanol with higher GHG savings in different parts of Europe due to several other factors, such as tighter emissions targets, blend walls for blending ethanol into gasoline and the use of GHG-based mandates in a number of EU member states.

Platts is therefore seeking feedback on what the typical minimum level of GHG savings is for ethanol traded across the various EU member states, and whether this level is now higher than 50%.

Platts has also received feedback that there may be a need for greater transparency in the European market for ethanol with GHG savings of above 75%. Platts is therefore seeking feedback on the market for ethanol with high GHG savings, how pricing varies across the range of GHG savings levels and how this market can best be represented.

Given the variety of GHG savings levels for ethanol traded in Europe, Platts is also seeking feedback on how best to reflect this range of specifications during the Platts Market on Close assessment process.

Please send all feedback, comments or questions to europe_ags@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by April 30, 2020.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available to the public upon request.