Production and consumption of advanced biofuels, such as renewable diesel and biodiesel, have grown rapidly over the past thirty years. Biodiesel and renewable diesel now make up nearly 10% of the diesel market in the US and more than 90% in California.
Excess vegetable oils, waste oils, and animal fats are increasingly being used to produce low-carbon biofuels that fuel big rigs, marine vessels, locomotives, and heavy-duty equipment from Sacramento to Chicago to New York and everywhere in between.
Renewable diesel is an advanced biofuel that is chemically identical to petroleum diesel but made from vegetable oils or animal fats instead of petroleum. It is made through a process known as hydrotreatment and meets ASTM D975, the standard for petroleum diesel and biodiesel blends up to B5.
Biodiesel is also an advanced biofuel made from the same inputs as renewable diesel, but the finished fuel is chemically similar to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is produced through a relatively simple chemical process known as transesterification. The finished fuel meets ASTM D6751, the standard for B100 biodiesel (99.9% – 100%). Biodiesel blends between 6% and 20% meet ASTM D7467, and blends up to B5 meet ASTM D975. Blends between 21% and 99% do not have a standalone ASTM standard as of December 2024. Instead, the B21-B99 blends require each virgin fuel to meet its respective ASTM standard before blending. In partnership with global OEMs, the clean fuels industry is actively pursuing a blending standard for B21-B99.
Trucks, vessels, locomotives, and equipment have operated successfully on both fuels for years, requiring little or no need to change transportation infrastructure or equipment. Fleets and retailers have deployed renewable diesel up to R100 (100%), and biodiesel blends up to B20 (20% biodiesel blended with ULSD or renewable diesel) through existing fuel pumps. Biodiesel blends over B20 may require upgraded pump hoses and heating in colder weather. Higher biodiesel blends may also require upgrades to certain equipment. However, fleets nationwide have successfully used biodiesel blends and B100 without modifications for years. Fleets like PepsiCo, Evergreen Grease, Manito Transit (Growmark), DC Water, and the Chicago Park District have also successfully used B100 year-round in a range of equipment utilizing the Optimus Technologies Ecosystem.
Companies across the United States continue to transition to cleaner fuels like biodiesel and renewables for a number of reasons. Operators point to many benefits of transitioning, including that both fuels support local jobs and farmers, reduce waste, provide maintenance benefits, and significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions.
In Michigan, the Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition stands ready to assist any fleet in transitioning from petroleum diesel to utilizing biodiesel, renewable diesel, or biofuel blends. To learn more, fleets and interested parties are encouraged to reach out at contact@miadvancedbiofuels.com.