What is Renewable Diesel?
Renewable diesel is a biomass-based diesel fuel. It is similar to biodiesel but uses a different production process known as hydrotreating. Renewable diesel is made from sustainable feedstocks that include waste products and byproducts, such as animal fats, distillers corn oil and used cooking oil.
Renewable Diesel is Typically Blended with Biodiesel or Petroleum Diesel
- R80-B20 is considered the optimal blend -- containing 80% renewable diesel and 20% biodiesel.
- Another common blend is R50, a blend of 50% renewable diesel and 50% ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)
- R99 is a blend of 99% renewable diesel and 1% petroleum diesel that is more widely available than 100% renewable diesel
- States require pump labels at fuel stations to indicate the blend being used
What are Renewable Diesel Benefits?
- Reduces emissions of greenhouse gases, particulate matter and other harmful air pollutants compared with petroleum diesel
- Drop-in fuel that can be used in any diesel vehicle or vessel without modifications
- Requires no investment in new vehicles or fueling infrastructure
- Suitable for year-round operation with less chance of gelling
- Chemically the same as diesel fuel, allowing transport in the same pipelines
- U.S.-made to support energy independence