WASHINGTON and LONDON, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets and a division of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), has entered into a strategic agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) to provide fundamental forecasting data and in-depth analysis that bring awareness of export opportunities for U.S. ethanol producers.

Sarah Cottle, Platts Global Content Director of Agriculture, said: "We're pleased to be recognized by the U.S. Commerce Department's International Trade Administration as a hallmark of quality, for our independent biofuels data and analytics. We look forward to working with the ITA to further the understanding and transparency in biofuels and agriculture markets and trade."

Platts data and analysis will underpin the qualitative insights found in the ITA Renewable Fuels Top Markets Report, which will be updated later in 2016 as part of the ITA agreement with Platts. Through the Top Markets Report, the ITA provides U.S. businesses with tools and resources required to navigate the unique and rapidly growing biofuels marketplace.

"We're pleased to welcome Platts as a partner in our efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy and support local jobs through expanding U.S. exports," said Ken Hyatt, Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, who spoke at the National Ethanol Conference in New Orleans on February 17. "With more than 95 percent of potential customers living outside U.S. borders, it's imperative that American companies of all sizes consider the benefits of selling their products abroad. We believe this strategic agreement provides us with a unique opportunity to significantly enhance our analysis of potential exports for the U.S. biofuels industry and increase awareness of opportunities for U.S. exports globally."

Contact Platts:
Global, Americas, Asia: Kathleen Tanzy, + 1 917 331 4607, kathleen.tanzy@platts.com

Contact U.S. Commerce Department's ITA:
Lorri Crowley, Public Affairs Specialist, ITA, +1 202-482-3809; lorri.crowley@trade.gov

About ITA: The role of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration is to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of the U.S. trade laws and agreements. ITA's U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals operate in more than 100 U.S. cities and in more than 70 countries and help facilitate U.S. companies as they seek to get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets. For more information, visit http://www.trade.gov.

About Platts: Platts is the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Customers in over 150 countries look to Platts' expertise in news, pricing and analytics to deliver greater transparency and efficiency to markets and help them make better informed trading and business decisions. Founded in 1909, Platts' coverage includes oil and gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture and shipping. A division of McGraw Hill Financial, Platts is headquartered in London and employs over 1,000 people in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.

About McGraw Hill Financial: McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI) is a leading financial intelligence company providing the global capital and commodity markets with independent benchmarks, credit ratings, portfolio and enterprise risk solutions, and analytics. The Company's iconic brands include Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ and SNL, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, CRISIL and J.D. Power. The Company has approximately 20,000 employees in 31 countries. Additional information is available at www.mhfi.com.

SOURCE Platts; U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration

SOURCE: Platts; U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration