The price for current-year biodiesel Renewable Identification Numbers fell to a 2 1/2-year low Tuesday on soft demand from obligated parties, market sources said.
D4 biodiesel RINs for 2018 were assessed 45.50 cents/RIN, down 3.25 cents day on day and 45.25 cents since February 16, when they reached their highest point so far this year.
Tuesday's assessment was the lowest price for a then-current year biodiesel RIN since October 7, 2015. Biodiesel RINs fell near the same level in April on concerns that the Environmental Protection Agency would grant more Renewable Fuel Standard waiver credits to refiners.
Sources described Tuesday's drop as part of the market's recent pattern, mostly driven by a lack of buying interest.
"There isn't much outstanding risk from an obligated party this early in the year," one source said.
Current-year ethanol RINs were assessed at a nine-day-low 30.75 cents/RIN, down 50 points day on day.
RIN prices mostly have been under pressure so far in 2018, pushed down by EPA's waivers to refineries and political discussions about granting an RVP waiver to gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. Gasoline blended with 10% ethanol currently receives a 1 psi RVP waiver because of its greenhouse gas reduction, allowing it to be sold year-round.
