The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Bankable Offtake Contracting

This  presentation by Steve Weiss, co-founder and CEO of Grey Heron, focuses on the critical importance of securing offtake agreements for building successful biofuel plants. Offtake agreements are legally binding contracts that guarantee the sale of a plant’s output, ensuring a steady revenue stream. The author emphasizes that offtake agreements are crucial for attracting financing, securing feedstock, finding suitable locations, hiring employees, and ultimately achieving financial success. He highlights the different priorities of investors and buyers, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between their conflicting needs. To achieve this, Weiss advocates for building shared understanding, securing deals with major players first, offering incentives for long-term contracts and increased volume, and sharing risk with buyers. This approach helps to create a win-win scenario where investors are confident in the project’s viability and buyers have the flexibility they require.