Renewable Biofuels

Biodiesel Feedstock

While most animal fats and vegetable oils qualify as potential feedstock there are a multitude of factors that go into selecting and blending the best sources for high quality biodiesel.   RBF researches feedstock from all perspectives including chemical properties, economic feasibility, sustainability and regional impact.

Soybeans

Soybeans are the world's largest oilseed crop. They account for over 54% of last year's global oil seed crop production of 406 million metric tonnes. The United States is the world's largest soybean producer followed by Brazil and Argentina. The meal from the soybean accounts for the majority of the crop and is used as a high protein feedstock. The oil is primarily used for shortening, cooking oil, salad oil and for margarine with less than 9% for industrial use (Paints, coatings, biodiesel)

Palm Oil

Palm Oil is made from the fleshy pulp of fruit from the Oil Palm. The Oil Palm is primarily grown in a narrow 10 degree band near the equator and has a yield of roughly 600 gal/acre. The kernel inside the nut of the oil palm also produces a different oil known as Palm Kernel Oil. More Palm Oil was produced in 2006/2007 (37 MMT) than any other vegetable oil in the world, just edging out soybean oil (36.2 MMT). Indonesia and Malaysia combined produced over 85% of all palm oil in 2006/2007.

Rapeseed / Canola

With over 17.5 MMT being produced worldwide in 2006/2007, Rapeseed Oil is the world's largest oilseed crop grown specifically for its oil (soybeans are primarily grown for their meal). Canola is a low erucic, low glucosinolate, genetically modified cultivar of Rapeseed.

China, India, Canada and the EU produce most of the world's Rapeseed Oil, leading it to be the feedstock of choice for biodiesel in Europe. 

Animal Fats & Grease

Over 59 billion pounds of perishable material are recycled every year from processing and preparation of meats and foods in North America alone.
Lard, Tallow, and Yellow Grease (recycled deep fryer oil) as well as many other rendered fats and oils can all be turned into biodiesel.  Their high free fatty acid content makes them challenging to traditional biodiesel facilities.  RBF will use a special pre-treatment facility to remove the free fatty acids prior to processing.

Algae and More

With a possible yield per acre several magnitudes greater than any current feedstock, oil from fast growing algae is one of the most promising alternatives for the next generation of biofuels.  With closed loop bioreactors water usage can be kept to a minimum and non-arable land can be used.

Jatropha is another promising feedstock that is a non-food crop with a potential high yield per acre and the ability to grow in various soils.  Camelina, Sunflower, Safflower, Rice Bran, Coconut, and Mustard Seed Oil have all proven themselves as viable alternatives for biofuel feedstock.