Glycerin is a co-product of biodiesel production, and its supply is dependent on biodiesel margins. The more profitable the margin environment for biodiesel, the larger the supply of glycerin. Conversely, falling margins limit the supply of glycerin.

Gross biodiesel margins have moved from slightly positive during the week ended October 11, to decidedly negative by the week ended Friday November 8.

The expiring $1-per-gallon Blenders Tax Credit (BTC) only compounds the situation.

“Spot margins for biodiesel are [about] $0.10 a gallon. And so, if you take the BTC out, [the margin becomes] negative $0.90 [per gallon],” Darling Ingredients’ executive Robert Day said during the company’s October 2024 analyst call.

Spot market trades are showing little movement from the previous week, with crude 80% basis glycerin trading mostly in the $0.11-0.15 per lb range and kosher crude glycerin in the $0.16-0.19 per lb range.

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