What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources, and replaces petroleum diesel fuel in the United States and other countries. Biodiesel is blended with petroleum diesel fuel to reduce emissions, improve lubricity, reduce greenhouse gases, conserve petroleum resources, reduce sulfur, and reduce the odor of diesel fuel. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, low sulfur (compared to 500 ppm sulfur) and has no aromatics. Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and supports to our own economy. Biodiesel is manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled greases. The process chemically transforms the oils, fats and greases into fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerol. The original oils, fats, and greases are not biodiesel and do not provide the same high quality premium fuel that biodiesel offers. Diesel fuel can be blended with 20% biodiesel or less for commercial fuels, although individuals and fleets have used as much as 100%.

The biodiesel industry is at the forefront of an exciting new industry with a tremendous opportunity for developers, investors, researchers, consumers, producers, government agencies, and other. From a handful of biodiesel enthusiasts in 1994, we have created a vibrant expanding industry throughout the United States. Biodiesel is available coast to coast and someday, every gallon of diesel fuel will contain some percentage of biodiesel.

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