Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a non-petroleum based fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. It can be used to power diesel engines either in its pure form or blended with conventional petroleum diesel. It can also be used in all modern diesel engines with little or no modification and has the added benefit of reducing the wear and tear on those engines because of its enhanced lubricity.

Biodiesel releases no stored CO2, only that which its feedstock source removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. This gives it a carbon footprint that is significantly lower than its fossil fuel counterpart. A U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy study has shown that even virgin soy-based biodiesel emits only 22 percent of the CO2 of conventional diesel, taking into account the entirety of its production cycle. Sirona's use of sustainably produced feedstocks and waste oils reduces these emissions even more significantly.

Biodiesel is nontoxic and biodegrades at a rate of four times that of conventional diesel. Its flash point is much higher than other fuels making it safer to store, handle and use. Biodiesel has undergone a complete evaluation of emission results and potential health effects by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. It thus became the first and only alternative fuel to be registered with the EPA as a legal fuel and fuel additive.

Biodiesel production is an integral component of plans to address:

  • Global Warming
  • Energy Independence
  • Energy Security
  • Economic Security
  • National Security

Biodiesel is a source of energy that can be used today in the infrastructure that currently serves our energy, transportation, and heating needs. It delivers reductions of greenhouse gasses at a time when immediate action is needed to combat global warming.