What is biodiesel
Biodiesel uses renewable raw materials from oil bearing seeds like rapeseed, soya, palm, sunflower, and cottonseed. However, biodiesel is also manufactured from low-grade, waste materials such as used cooking oils and animal fats. Biodiesel achieves a reduction in CO2 emissions throughout its lifecycle, from 40% to 85%, depending on the first material from which it originates.
Biodiesel can complement diesel fuel in any proportion and can be used without any engine modification. Biodiesel is used as a direct substitute for mineral diesel either in pure form (called B100) or as a blend.
Biodiesel is a fully renewable fuel because the feedstock used is not finite as mineral oil. Apart from conventional sources already new alternatives feedstocks are exploited. Used cooking oils, animal fats are already a very important percentage of the raw materials used.
But already next generation feedstocks are increasing in importance like jatropha oil (that comes from a plant that can grow in harsh conditions and produce non-edible oil) and algae oil (which is a huge future source of biodiesel raw material).
Europe is the biggest biodiesel market worldwide, where more than eight billion liters are consumed annually.
Biodiesel Specifications
