What is soap stock acid oil and how does it fit into the renewable energy supply chain?
The vegetable oil refining process creates various by-products, including soap stocks, which come as a result of neutralization, with alkali used to remove free fatty acids (FFA) from the oils.
Soap stocks are then treated with sulphuric and phosphoric acids to become SSAO, rich in FFA.
This biofuel feedstock is considered advanced in a number of European countries, with producers developing SSAO supply chains from South America and Africa to ensure feedstock availability to meet European biofuel mandates.
Why is it the right time to launch an SSAO price assessment?
Demand for SSAO and other niche feedstocks increased following recent restrictions for palm oil mill effluent (POME) exports from Indonesia, which have until recently been a key advanced feedstock for biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in the Netherlands and a handful of other countries in European Union.
Monitoring SSAO prices helps market participants understand supply-demand dynamics and assess competitiveness in the renewable fuels industry among a range of feedstocks and allows them to manage risk associated with sudden price movements.
Who should be interested in the launch?
This launch will be useful for a wide range of market participants across the biofuel industry, including feedstock suppliers, traders, biofuel producers, vegetable oil crushers as well as financial institutions.
What is the methodology behind Fastmarkets’ SSAO spot price assessment?
Fastmarkets’ soap stock acid oil cif Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp spot price is a weekly price assessment following the Fastmarkets’ pricing calendar. It adheres to IOSCO principles to ensure high standards in price reporting. The assessment process involves expert reporters who collect data on spot trades, bids, offers and cross-check rumoured deals or movements in related commodities. Data are analysed and reviewed through multiple stages before publication to ensure transparency and accuracy.
Who can I reach out to if I have further questions?
For more details, contact pricing.ags@fastmarkets.com.
