Nearly 450 international buyers and end-users of ethanol and its co-products from over 40 countries have convened in Washington, D.C. this week for the Global Ethanol Summit 2025 (GES), hosted by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) and supported by Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and BASF.
The premier industry event features more than 400 policymakers, ministerial officials, senior industry leaders, researchers, producers, and traders. GES spans three themed days focusing on ethanol’s renewability and availability, compatibility, and affordability.
The conference agenda includes discussions on emerging markets for on- and off-road ethanol applications, economic and agricultural development benefits, carbon emission reductions, carbon intensity policies, trade restrictions, and technological advancements.
Pre-conference workshops featured panels with industry experts such as Doug Berven of POET, Rowena Torres-Ordonez of USGBC, Tad Hepner of RFA, and Morten Jacobsen of the Global Ethanol Association.
USGBC’s Alicia Koch described GES as “an unparalleled opportunity for decision makers and stakeholders in the ethanol value chain to access experts, resources, and networking in a curated, concentrated forum.”
Prior to the summit, 12 international trade teams from countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea toured U.S. corn-growing states to experience ethanol production firsthand. Post-conference tours will continue to showcase the ethanol value chain across additional states.
The summit runs through Wednesday, offering ongoing opportunities for networking and industry engagement. More details and the agenda are available online using the hashtag #GES25.
