Biodiesel Info

What is biodiesel?

“Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a fuel increases energy security, improves public health and the environment, and provides safety benefits.”

-U.S. Dept. of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center

Why biodiesel?

Biodiesel provides significant economic, technical and environmental benefits

DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED – Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made in Missouri using agricultural feedstocks such as soybean oil, corn oil or animal fats.

GOOD FOR ECONOMY – The Missouri biodiesel industry supports more than 5,500 jobs and provides a $2 billion economic impact to the state.

CLEAN BURNING – Biodiesel produces 86% fewer lifecycle green house gases, creates 47% less particulate matter and reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 67%.

APPROVED BY OEMS – Biodiesel is approved by all original engine manufacturers and can be used as a drop-in replacement in existing diesel engines.

INCREASED LUBRICITY AND CETANE – Biodiesel offers superior lubricity and higher cetane value than petroleum-based diesel fuel.

USED YEAR-ROUND – Biodiesel can be used in diesel vehicles year-round and requires no different cold weather management practices than petroleum-based diesel fuel.

Biodiesel in Missouri

5

Biodiesel plants

247

Million gallons of production capacity

291

Number of retail stations offering biodiesel blends

5,567

Jobs supported by biodiesel

$2 billion

Statewide economic impact

“MFA Oil started marketing biodiesel in 1993 and statewide in 2000 and we had to learn the business on our own. This coalition brings together producers, marketers, and industry organizations to work together for the benefit of the biodiesel industry.”

James Greer
Vice President Supply & Government Affairs – MFA Oil Company

Fact Sheets & FAQs

Biodiesel FAQs Biodiesel in Missouri Biodiesel Success Stories Biodiesel Support from OEM's Biodiesel Handling & Use Guide

Biodiesel and the Environment

Biodiesel produces 86 percent fewer lifecycle greenhouse gases, creates 47 percent less particulate matter, and reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 67 percent

Lower emission levels mean that biodiesel removes the equivalent of 2 million passenger cars from Missouri’s roads in one year of average driving

Biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar

For every unit of energy invested into producing biodiesel, 5.5 units of energy are generated

Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act

Economic Benefits of Biodiesel

When reviewing the high costs associated with other alternative fuel systems, many fleet managers have determined biodiesel is their least-cost-strategy.

Use of biodiesel does not require major engine modifications. That means operators keep their fleets, their spare parts inventories, their refueling stations and their skilled mechanics.

Biodiesel supports demand for soybean oil, reducing the cost of soybean meal, an important feedstock, for livestock producers.

Did you know?

Biodiesel began as a research project funded by Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff, as a way to add value to the soybean oil they produced. Today, biodiesel supports more than 5,500 jobs in Missouri and has a $2 billion economic impact.