Fastmarkets and ICE launch used cooking oil futures contract to meet rising biofuel demand

Read more on how the launch provides market participants with a new risk management solution in the renewable energy sector

Fastmarkets and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) are excited to announce the launch of the ICE used cooking oil (UCO) Gulf (Fastmarkets) futures contract to meet growing demand and tackle complexity in the biofuel feedstock market.

Today’s launch provides market participants with a new risk management solution in the renewable energy sector. It is also an ideal choice for those looking to gain exposure to UCO price movements without the need for physical delivery.

Fastmarkets’ US Gulf-based UCO assessment reflects the primary market region for UCO trade, capturing the broadest data pool necessary for accurate market pricing. This ensures convergence between the futures price and the spot price at contract expiry, further bolstering confidence in market operations.

“With the increased volumes and diversity of stakeholders in the UCO market, now is the perfect time to introduce a futures contract that can aid in effective risk management,” said Przemek Koralewski, Fastmarkets’ global head of market development. “This contract will provide market participants with a sophisticated tool to manage their price exposure, ensuring stability and supporting long-term strategic planning.”

The launch of the ICE UCO futures contract is designed to support participants across the biofuel supply chain, including feedstock suppliers, refiners, traders, financial institutions and biodiesel producers.

“Liquidity in ICE’s biofuel complex has been growing rapidly over the last few years,” said Jeff Barbuto, global head of oil markets at ICE. “We’re excited to work with Fastmarkets to add to the momentum and further develop the UCO market.”

Ryan Standard, Fastmarkets’ regional managing editor, added: “The ICE UCO futures contract represents a significant advancement in the biofuel feedstock market. By offering a reliable benchmark tied to our comprehensive price assessments, ICE and Fastmarkets are facilitating transparency and price discovery in the industry.”

For more information, visit Fastmarkets and the ICE Futures listings at Biodiesel Outright – US Gulf Coast Used Cooking Oil (Fastmarkets) Future. Email media@fastmarkets.com to connect with the team and find out how Fastmarkets can help you.

What to read next
Fastmarkets will not publish any price assessments for US animal fats and oils; animal proteins; biomass-based diesel; hide and leather; grain and feed ingredients; organic/non-GMO; and vegetable oils on Monday January 20 due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in the US and the consequent closure for the day of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Fastmarkets launched AG-WHE-0058 Wheat 10.5% fob US Gulf SRW wheat $/mt on January 6, 2025.
Global used cooking oil (UCO) prices were highly volatile throughout 2024 amid market uncertainty, trade flow and policy changes, with market sources expecting the prices to increase further in 2025, pushed up by higher demand and increased biofuel production obligations.
In December, increased demand from various industries led to a 5-10% rise in EU animal fats prices, supported by high seasonal rendering activity and regulatory factors affecting vegetable oil supply.
Gasoline and diesel prices in the UK are set to begin 2025 significantly lower than a year earlier, but uncertainty and potential volatility lie ahead due to a combination of an upcoming administration change in the US and other global events and policies, experts told Fastmarkets.
Africa's increasing air travel demand and biofuel production potential, alongside the Middle East's strategic SAF investments, position both regions as key players in advancing global aviation decarbonization efforts.