Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from soybean oil and other feedstocks, representing an important source of soybean demand and energy security. It can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petrodiesel, and blends of up to 20% (known as B20) may be used in any modern diesel engine with no modifications. Biodiesel is America’s first and only energy source to earn the title of “advanced biofuel” from the Environmental Protection Agency.
50%
or more of U.S. biodiesel
is made with soybean oil
10%
of the price of soybeans
is attributed to biofuels demand
70%
lower emissions
compared to petroleum diesel
Because biodiesel is an organic compound, it does not contain elements like sulfur that form harmful emissions. Biodiesel is a better lubricant than petrodiesel, increasing lubricity by 60% at blends as low as 2%, reducing engine wear and providing horsepower, torque and fuel economy comparable to petrodiesel.
Nationwide, biodiesel demand is responsible for 10% of the price farmers receive for their soybeans. Growing demand has had tremendous local effects, causing crush capacity in Kansas to nearly double in 2024, creating new jobs and improving basis for many soybean growers.
To expand markets and promote this important source of demand for soybean farmers, KSC partners with Clean Fuels Alliance America in their work to make biomass-based diesel fuels more sustainable, credible and competitive. Clean Fuels serves as the industry’s central coordinating entity for technical, environmental and quality assurance programs and is the strongest voice for its advocacy, communications and market development.
News on Biodiesel
-
Biofuels Policy Outcomes Mean Business
Soybean Farmers can expect to benefit from a secure domestic market this year. 2026 has been a year of extremes for biodiesel: plants shuttered by uncertainty have roared to life with recent policy actions. For the first time, the industry has a finalized Renewable Fuel Standard, a tax credit and reallocated small refinery exemptions in…
-
New Fuel Terminal Promises New Impact for Farmers
On May 7, the Kansas Soybean Commission attended a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Blue River Valley fuel terminal, which was retrofitted with blending capabilities for biofuels. With an 800,000 gallon biodiesel storage tank on site, the facility expects to go through 50,000 to 75,000 gallons of biodiesel per month. Fuel terminals store and…
-
Friends of Soy: Building Kansas Crush Capacity
Bartlett; a Savage Company, and Scoular honored for bringing opportunities to Kansas soybean farmers. In fall 2024, two new soybean processing plants came online, nearly doubling crush capacity in Kansas. Just over a year later, Kansas Soybean honored Scoular and Bartlett; a Savage Company, as Friends of Soy for increasing market opportunities and profit potential…