11.22.2024
Biodiesel margins rise, but window of opportunity limited
Biodiesel margins continued to rise during the week to Friday November 22. The bean oil/heating oil (BOHO) spread boosted margins by falling to its lowest level since August 27.
The market is anticipating higher glycerin prices moving into the end of 2023 and through the first quarter of 2024. Demand is expected to rise as temperatures drop and the holiday season settles in. Seasonal demand is seen increasing within the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry.
Falling temperatures will activate the coal freeze industry to begin utilizing stored glycerin and could have them entering the market to replenish supply. Although, a number of contacts indicated that coal freeze applications are currently carrying high inventories. If true, this could postpone, or limit, the cyclical price push that has been correlated to this sector.
Poor biodiesel margins have been mentioned by several traders and producers as a likely reason price might be rising. Poor margins are expected to slow domestic biodiesel production heading into the first quarter of 2021. This will reign in glycerin supply and help to buoy pricing in the near term.
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