NCI Market Update Webinar Series: Special Edition | Featuring Scott Fenwick

Scott Fenwick | Technical Director for the National Biodiesel Board

NCI held another episode of the Market Update: Special Edition Series on September 1st, 2021. This episode in the series featured Scott Fenwick, Technical Director for the National Biodiesel Board: the trade association representing both biodiesel and renewable diesel stakeholders within North America. Fenwick’s presentation centered around the biodiesel/renewable diesel industry.

At the start of the presentation, Fenwick went over the basics with NCI’s viewers. After defining key terms that would be used throughout the presentation, he discussed biodiesel ASTM standards. He made sure that viewers understood that during the past year, renewable diesel didn’t dip in trend as compared to motor gasoline and jet fuel. Airlines were not necessarily flying goods, however, goods were still moved across the U.S. by heavy-duty trucks that continued rolling to deliver essential goods.

Fenwick then began discussing biodiesel and renewable diesel in the industry today. With close to 100 biodiesel producers across the U.S., they are able to produce close to 2.5 billion gallons of fuel a year. Fenwick presented how the vision is to double the market to 6 billion gallons by 2030, which in turn will open up new markets. Most of the soybean blends in the U.S. are produced in the midwest and on the coast for easy access to ports. In our midwest region, the market is in production but also in use based on the soybean belt in our country.

Fenwick also went into depth when talking about policies and how government, state, and local policies play a big part in various mandates and low carbon fuel standards. He also went into depth when discussing cold weather concerns. He let the audience know that these concerns are still valid, but also offered ways in which we can assist these concerns. Fenwick mentioned that there aren’t limits when it comes to cold flow. This being due to the fact that fuel needed in Minnesota would not be the same as the fuel needed in the southern parts of the country.

Scott Fenwick spoke about how the industry is really expanding and keeping up with the trends that are being set.

“The goal has become all about reducing emissions to improve environmental and health benefits.”

This led to some great discussion about whether or not policy or economics are the driving factors when it comes to the market. Fenwick said that it’s really both. He mentioned that there is a lot of corporate pressure when it comes to ESG programs and sustainability programs, which really puts pressure on these companies to adapt.

At the end of the presentation, Fenwick discussed where the market is heading. He mentioned that there are plenty of global opportunities. He touched on aviation fuel, marine fuel, and the railroad industry, and what they are doing to adapt to new trends as well. Fenwick mentioned that engine technology is changing at an even faster rate than the biodiesel industry. Keeping up with all of these moving parts is very important because of the new emission requirements for new engine technology. Fenwick predicts that emissions will decrease by another 90% with this new technology.

These market updates were created to engage with past and present course participants and to offer market insight to those professionals. By providing this pertinent information on various topics, NCI has fostered growth and learning all around the world. NCI greatly appreciates contributions from speakers like Scott Fenwick during these Market Update webinars.

For more information about the future webinars, click here.

Click below to watch yesterday’s presentation.