Argus launches new German renewable diesel service to improve transparency for downstream users

Prices for fossil and renewable diesel supported by industry stakeholders, including Siemens

HAMBURG, Germany, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus has launched a new online service to publish monthly average prices for German HVO – hydrotreated vegetable oil, otherwise known as renewable diesel, alongside fossil diesel prices. The free site aims to improve market transparency for downstream and upstream transportation users, including distribution and logistics companies as well as shippers

Companies in road transport are required to reduce their CO2 emissions and one option is to use HVO in place of fossil diesel. They have typically sought to understand the value of HVO in relation to conventional fossil diesel, but the prices for the two fuels are driven by different market fundamentals, which can mean the price difference between them varies considerably. In 2024, for instance, the premium for HVO to fossil diesel ranged from just €5/100 litres to €40/100 litres.

HVO is made using waste materials such as used cooking oil or from so-called "tall oil" derived from wood pulp. Price changes for these feedstocks alter the price of HVO, but not that of diesel, which is refined from crude oil.

Germany's greenhouse gas (GHG) quota rules also impact the relative price of fuels. If the price of GHG certificates increases, diesel becomes more expensive and HVO becomes cheaper, and vice-versa. This is because diesel "consumes" GHG certificates whereas HVO "produces" them.

Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said: "We have worked in close consultation with downstream transport companies in Germany to create new monthly average prices which provide much-needed transparency in these complex markets. Understanding the different feedstock price drivers helps market participants make informed decisions as the transportation sector transitions to lower-carbon fuels."

Dirk Grund, Global Commodity Manager for Ground Transportation at Siemens said: "We are pleased that Argus has developed this new open service which gives us and our service providers a much better understanding of the real market value of HVO based on its actual fundamentals rather than relying on an assumed price correlation towards fossil diesel. Our strategic goal is to lower carbon emissions throughout our transport operation and accurate pricing of the relevant fuels is key to achieve this."

Argus contact information 

London: Seana Lanigan
+44 20 7780 4200
Email Seana

Houston: Matt Oatway
+1 713 968 0000
Email Matt

+65 6496 9960
Email Tomoko

About Argus Media

Argus is the leading independent provider of market intelligence to the global energy and commodity markets. We offer essential price assessments, news, analytics, consulting services, data science tools and industry conferences to illuminate complex and opaque commodity markets.

Headquartered in London with over 1,400 staff, Argus is an independent media organisation with 30 offices in the world's principal commodity trading hubs.

Companies, trading firms and governments in 160 countries around the world trust Argus data to make decisions, analyse situations, manage risk, facilitate trading and for long-term planning. Argus prices are used as trusted benchmarks around the world for pricing transportation, commodities and energy.

Founded in 1970, Argus remains a privately held UK-registered company owned by employee shareholders and global growth equity firm General Atlantic.

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