In 2025, 23.25 billion renewable identification numbers (RINs) were distributed under the Renewable Fuels Standard. One standout data point included a significant increase in D3 RINs coming from cellulosic ethanol—93% over the 2024 total—likely originating from in situ corn kernel fiber production throughout the ethanol industry. Non-cellulosic ethanol RINs dropped by 1% compared to 2024, standing at 14.71 billion.

Shifts are also evident in the other renewable fuels. Renewable diesel generated 5.03 billion RINs in 2025, while biodiesel generated around 1.71 billion RINs. RINs for renewable diesel and biodiesel dropped by roughly 16% and 45% respectively when compared to 2024. The RINs generated from imported biodiesel and renewable diesel decreased by roughly 92% and 82% each. Biogas’ domestic presence increased, with over 1.1 billion biogas-based fuel RINs in 2025, 96% originating from domestic producers. Overall, biogas-based fuel RINs increased 13% compared to 2024.

These charts display ethanol’s standing compared to other biofuels under the RFS and highlight recent production shifts throughout the biofuels space.

CKF IMPACT
In 2024, new ASTM testing standards were introduced, allowing ethanol producers to measure in situ corn kernel fiber ethanol production. Subsequently, the industry has significantly increased the volume of cellulosic ethanol it produces.

The number of D3 cellulosic ethanol RINs generated for 2025 stood at 84.36 million. However, most of the D3 RIN pool—1.06 billion—goes to domestically produced renewable natural gas (RNG).

Authors: Erin Krueger and Katie Schroeder

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