using BIODIESEL

In Australia, Australian Biodiesel Group Limited manufactures biodiesel for the purpose of blending in mineral diesel to achieve the Australian Diesel Standard. Australian Biodiesel Group Limited calls blends achieving this standard “Complying Blends”.

Australian Biodiesel Group Limited supplies biodiesel in bulk to fuel distributors, who blend the fuel to create Complying Blends. Complying Blends are typically mixed at between 2% and 20% biodiesel.

Complying Blends are competitively priced and offer performance and environmental benefits over diesel.

Price
Complying Blends attract reduced excise, ensuring fuel distributors are able to offer very competitive pricing. Complying Blends are treated as diesel for tax purposes, and are eligible for all commercial-use rebates, where applicable. No additional record keeping is required.

Performance
Australia is converting to an Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) standard of less than 10ppm sulphur by 2009. These new ULSDs have a different balance of hydrocarbons, meaning their lubricity, power and fuel economy may be reduced compared to former diesel formulation.

Complying Blends made with Australian Biodiesel Group Limited biodiesel have several performance benefits over ULSDs, including:

• Higher lubricity, resulting in less engine wear and smoother running.
• Higher cetane rating, resulting in more power and, in many engines, improved fuel economy.

Environmental benefits
Use of Complying Blends provides positive benefits to the environment. Toxic air pollutants (1) are generally reduced. A B20 blend results in:

• 10% to 25% reduction in particulate matter and carbon monoxide.
• 5% to 15% reduction in total hydrocarbons and several toxic smog related compounds.
• Impact on NOx is less certain. Some studies show an increase of about 2%, while others show a decrease.

Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (2) are also lower. A B20 blend results in a 10% to 15% decrease.

The biodiesel component of a Complying Blend is made from renewable resources, which are not depleted through use. Biodiesel may be manufactured from Australian grown or supplied feedstocks, including:

• tallow (from meat processing)
• canola oil
• soy oil
• recycled vegetable oils
  

Supply information
To find out more about:

• Purchasing pre-blended Complying Blends for commercial use
• Purchasing pre-blended Complying Blends from retail outlets
• Becoming a licensed blender of biodiesel in diesel

Contact Australian Biodiesel Group Limited’s national sales line on 1800 090 512.

References
(1) McCormick et al, National Energy Research Laboratory, US Dept of Energy, May 2007. Exact impact varies depending on engine, test cycle and other factors.

(2) Beer et al, Report to the Australian Greenhouse Office, Comparison of Transport Fuels 2002. Exact impact varies depending on feedstock used to produce biodiesel.