Argus Media

Biomass Beat: Key Takeaways from the Argus Biomass Conference

In this episode of The Biomass Beat, Argus experts revisit key messages from the Argus Biomass Conference, held in London on 21–23 April.

 

Host Hannah Adler, Senior Reporter for Argus Biomass Markets, is joined by Marta Imarisio, Senior Market Reporter, and Jeff Kuntz, Editor, to discuss industry sentiment and dominant themes—both on stage and behind the scenes.

 

Drawing on discussions with producers, utilities, traders and technology providers, the team shares their perspectives on what these insights mean for the market outlook.

 

Listen to the episode to explore:

• How market sentiment has shifted, with greater optimism than many expected. 
• Why multi‑year highs in European pellet prices were a key focus.
• Differences in perspective among producers, buyers and technology firms
• The implications of looming subsidy expiries for biomass-fired plants
• How lower stocks after recent heating seasons are influencing market behaviour

 

Argus offers biomass prices, news, analysis, and consulting. Get more information and request a free trial. 

Driving Discussions: ARDA South Africa rundown

Deputy editor of Argus European Oil Products Report George Maher-Bonnett shares key takeaways from one of Africa’s leading downstream conferences - the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) - with editor Benedict George. They touch on the US-Iran conflict's impacts on Africa, while also delving into the continent's refining landscape and fuel markets.

Negative Emissions: Biochar’s test as a scalable CO2 removal

In this episode, Shribalaji Shenbagaraj, Senior Carbon Reporter of Argus, speaks with Kavin Kandaswamy, CEO of ProClime, to examine whether biochar can transition from a project‑by‑project removal solution into a credible, investable carbon market.

 

Listen to discover key insights on:

• Where biochar sits in the current carbon removal hierarchy

• Emerging markets driving supply and what limits supply growth today

• Where is demand coming from and how can it be boosted

• Price formation and risk allocation

Learn more about the Argus Carbon service

Hablando de Mercado: Refinerías y Vaca Muerta

 

El shale oil de Vaca Muerta forzó una transformación del sistema de refinación de Argentina, que originalmente había sido diseñado para crudos pesados. Este cambio tuvo un impacto correspondiente en la canasta de productos refinados disponibles tanto para el mercado argentino como para la región. Para saber más, escuche esta conversación entre el gerente de desarrollo de negocios de Argus, Nazareno Ferrero, en Buenos Aires, y Camila Fontana, subjefa de la oficina de Argus en São Paulo. 

 

Estos son algunos de los temas abordados en este episodio: 

 

• Refinerías inversionan para procesar crudos más livianos 

• Exportaciones de GLP desde Argentina 

• Creciente sobreoferta de naftas de bajo octanaje 

• Oportunidades en combustible de aviación 

Market Talks: Refineries and Vaca Muerta

The shale oil surge from Vaca Muerta forced a transformation of Argentina’s refining system, which had originally been designed for heavy crudes. This shift had a corresponding impact on the slate of refined products available to the Argentine market and to the region. To learn more, listend to this conversation between Argus business development manager Nazareno Ferrero, based in Buenos Aires, and Camila Fontana, deputy bureau chief of the Argus office in São Paulo. 

Here are some of the topics discussed in this episode:

• Refiners invest to process lighter crudes 
• LPG exports from Argentina 
• Growing oversupply of low‑octane naphthas 
• Opportunities in jet fuel 

Falando de Mercado: Refinarias e Vaca Muerta

 

O petróleo de xisto de Vaca Muerta transformou o sistema de refino da Argentina, que havia sido projetado para processar óleos mais pesados. Essa mudança impactou o conjunto de produtos refinados disponíveis tanto para o mercado argentino quanto para a região. Para saber mais, ouça esta conversa entre o gerente de desenvolvimento de negócios da Argus em Buenos Aires, Nazareno Ferrero, e Camila Fontana, chefa adjunta da redação da Argus em São Paulo. 

 

Alguns dos temas discutidos neste episódio: 

 

• Refinarias investem para processar óleos mais leves 

• Exportações de GLP a partir da Argentina 

• Crescente sobreoferta de nafta de baixa octanagem 

• Oportunidades com combustível de aviação 

Insuring Corsia: What lies ahead?

In this episode, Alexandra Luca talks with Chris Slater, CEO of Oka - a leading carbon insurance provider supporting credits in the initial phase of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia). They discuss Oka's current insurance-based credits pipeline, recent challenges for insurers, and future developments in the Corsia market.

 

Tune in for expert insights on:

• Obstacles to expanding insurance-based Corsia supply: the impact of the EU draft proposal on insurers 

• Insurance capacity beyond BTR deadlines in 2026

• Key regions and methodologies for supplying Corsia

• How the war in Iran is impacting Corsia demand and supply

Learn more about the Argus Carbon service

SAF Insights: European SAF market holds breath on jet price surge

Unpack the latest price movements, supply scenarios, and compliance dynamics affecting jet and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The conflict in the Middle East, a key jet fuel supply region, has hit global aviation fuels markets hard. In this episode of SAF Insights, the team discuss how European jet fuel prices have surged and volatility has increased, while SAF markets have been contending with their own fundamentals and the HEFA-SAF premium to fossil jet has narrowed.

This podcast will address key questions

• How has jet fuel price volatility impacted liquidity and market confidence?
• What market forces explain the HEFA SAF/jet spread movements?
• Can Europe offset Middle Eastern jet supply shortfalls, and what are the fallback options?
• Can higher jet fuel prices drive the market toward higher SAF blending rates?
• Do SAF price patterns mirror those seen in other biofuels markets?

Fertilizer Matters EP48: Feed Phosphates Market Fundamentals

Hear Argus’ essential analysis of what’s driving the feed phosphate market, the impact of the Middle East conflict – and we also introduce the new Argus MDCP and DCP weekly feed phosphate price assessments.

Join Tom Hampson, Global Editor – Phosphates, Adrian Seewald, Senior Market Reporter – Phosphates and Hui Xuan Lek, Market Reporter - Fertilizers as they discuss these topics in the latest episode of Argus' Fertilizer Matters podcast series.

Key questions answered in this podcast:

• What are feed phosphates, what are their significance and what are the different grades?
• What role does China play in the feed phosphates market?
• What has been driving prices of feed phosphates?
• How have feed phosphate suppliers and buyers responded to the war in the Middle East and to the closure of the strait of Hormuz?
• How has the war impacted Chinese feed phosphate prices?
• What impact have we seen in Europe and Brazil?
• Could Chinese feed phosphates come under any trade regulations – and what’s the market sentiment among Chinese producers?
• Are feed phosphate prices now peaking, or could they rise further?
• Why did Argus launch the MDCP fob south China, MDCP bagged ex-works south China and DCP fob south China price assessments – and how do they enhance price transparency?

Related links

• Argus Phosphate price reporting service | More info | Request trial
• More information: Phosphate short and mid to long-term outlook services
• Free newsletter sign up: Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights

Chemical Conversations: South Korea BTX Rationalisation and Global Impact

South Korea’s petrochemical rationalisation programme marks one of the most significant structural shifts in Asia’s BTX (benzene, toluene, xylene) markets. 

In discussion with Argus' Senior Aromatics Reporter Joonlei Lee, Santosh Navada examines the potential implications of South Korea’s rationalisation programme for global BTX trade flows.

• What key factors are driving South Korea’s decision to implement a rationalisation programme.
• How the rationalisation will affect South Korea’s petrochemical sector and the broader domestic economy.
• What long-term strategic objectives the programme is designed to achieve.
• How the Middle East conflict is influencing the timing, scope and urgency of the rationalisation programme.

Further details and additional insights are available from Argus Aromatics experts and Argus publications, including:

Argus Toluene, Xylenes and Derivatives (https://www.argusmedia.com/en/solutions/products/argus-toluene-xylenes-and-derivatives) | Argus Toluene and Xylenes Outlook (https://www.argusmedia.com/en/solutions/products/argus-toluene-and-xylenes-outlook) | Argus Toluene and Xylenes Analytics (https://www.argusmedia.com/en/solutions/products/argus-toluene-and-xylenes-analytics) | Argus Consulting