Statewide Iowa – (IARN) — Ethanol has been a topic that has definitely had its share of the limelight this past year. We continued to be embroiled in debates over the Renewable Fuels Standard and small refinery exemptions. We finally received a mandate to allow E15 to be sold all year round. However, there is so much more happening with ethanol than that. Let’s look at what has happened internationally.Craig Willis is Senior Vice President of Global Markets for Growth Energy. He says when you consider the United States, China, and Brazil, you account for over 50% of the gasoline consumed on the planet. With the policies in place and being implemented, ethanol is a big deal, globally.
Without the United States and Brazil, there is only a three percent global usage of ethanol. Growth Energy is looking to get that number to ten percent. He says having the three largest fuel markets endorsing the product is key.
Willis says a big misconception they deal with is the worry that countries need to have an ethanol mandate. Willis says Mexico is a prime example of just opening the doors to another choice. He talks about the impact ethanol is having on the gasoline markets there.
Willis says getting a trade deal done with China would be a big boost to ethanol demand.
Willis says Growth energy remains committed to working on telling ethanol’s story around the world. They will continue to work to get American ethanol exported into new and expanding markets.
