The U.S. Grains Council, working with the Korea Biofuel Forum (KBF), held its annual conference in Seoul in mid-May to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of biofuels to South Korean stakeholders, reports Ethanol Producer Magazine.
The event brought together around 250 experts, including representatives from government ministries such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). Attendees also included members of the energy industry, academics, and media outlets focused on fuel and sustainability.
A key part of this year’s program was a presentation on Japan’s new biofuel policy, which aims to increase ethanol imports for both road transportation and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The U.S. Grains Council invited a biofuel expert from Japan to explain how the country’s shift toward ethanol has provided both environmental and economic benefits.
Haksoo Kim, the Council’s director in South Korea, said the goal was to help change local attitudes toward ethanol by showing how it is being used successfully in neighboring countries.
“We wanted to introduce Japan’s ethanol and aviation fuel policies to help officials and the media see the potential of road ethanol,” Kim explained.
South Korea currently does not produce biofuels domestically and relies entirely on imports to meet its needs. According to Kim, a shift in biofuel policy could create new opportunities for U.S. ethanol producers, especially given the strong trade relationship between the two countries.
The Korea Biofuel Forum, which co-hosted the event, is a non-profit group made up of around 300 experts from fields such as oil and gas, government research, academia, airlines, and the biofuel sector. Its mission is to support South Korea’s efforts toward carbon neutrality and biofuel development.
After the conference, the Council’s delegation visited Odfjell Terminals Korea in Ulsan, a major shipping point for ethanol headed to Japan. The group toured the facility’s ethanol handling and transfer systems.
Kim added, “By showing what’s possible through international cooperation and successful programs in other countries, we can help increase global demand for U.S. bioethanol.”
