Last week, the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) invited influential journalists and representatives from weekly Japanese business journals to the United States for interviews and site visits related to the use of bioethanol as a feedstock for sustainable marine fuel (SMF).
USGBC Director in Japan Tommy Hamamoto escorted the team and were joined by USGBC Ethanol Economics and Policy Manager Tom Poole and USGBC Global Ethanol Programs Coordinator Lauren Sura stateside.
“Innovations in the biofuel sector are rapidly developing and becoming increasingly viable for commercial transportation use, and SMF is the next step in harnessing the carbon reduction capacity of U.S. ethanol,” Hamamoto said.
“Japan will soon introduce ethanol for on-road vehicles, so this was an opportune time to expand consumer understanding of biofuel’s wider impact potential not only for SMF but also for gasoline blending by engaging popular business publications.”
The team met in Washington, D.C. for a meeting with biofuel experts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a working lunch with private sector ethanol stakeholders, including USGBC members Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association.
After traveling to Chicago, the group visited Marquis, a USGBC member, to tour an ethanol plant and view the production processes and improvements in sustainability. A family farm then welcomed the delegation for attendees to view this year’s U.S. corn crop in progress and discuss common practices for U.S. corn farmers.
The next day was highlighted by a seminar at the University of Chicago-Illinois’ Energy Resources Center, where participants were walked through the details of carbon intensity scoring and other factors in SMF’s environmental benefits.
The program wrapped up in Houston, where the group met staff at the American Bureau of Shipping and Advario to learn more about industry interest in SMF and the logistics of its storage and transportation.
“These attendees from the Japanese media will return home to raise awareness on the U.S. ethanol industry’s contribution to a carbon neutral, sustainable environment through SMF production,” Hamamoto said.
“This will help accelerate end-user and consumer loyalty to U.S. ethanol by reducing social barriers and other misconceptions of U.S. corn in the coming years.”
Learn more about the Council’s work in Japan on the organization’s website.