Biofuels

Tomorrow’s soybeans future

The biofuels industry continues to grow, and the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) is here to help grow its production and usage through research, education and promotion.

Our overall objective is to support the biodiesel industry in Indiana. Our state is well-positioned to be a leader in soy biodiesel production and usage. Building demand for soy biodiesel stimulates demand for soybean oil from Indiana soy processing facilities, which increases demand for Indiana soybeans.

What is biodiesel? It is a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources, such as soybeans. Soy biodiesel can be used in existing, unmodified diesel engines. More people are choosing biodiesel because it’s safer and more environmentally-friendly than petroleum diesel. Another advantage of choosing biodiesel is it’s made in the U.S., which helps reduce dependency on foreign oil.

Soy biodiesel is simple to use and biodegradable. Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage. B20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel) has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost for fleet operations and consumers.

Find a biodiesel retail location near you!

To increase the awareness and use of soy biodiesel, ISA supports:

Mechanics Training

The Biodiesel Technician training course has been designed to raise awareness of biodiesel and its performance in engines among diesel mechanics, as well as diesel mechanic instructors. This continuing education course is being offered at no cost to diesel mechanics. The course is taught by an approved instructor through the National Biodiesel Board and certified by the Automotive Service Education.

Biodiesel Facts

  • Using soy biodiesel in existing diesel engines does not void parts and materials workmanship warranties of any engine manufacturer
  • 40 million successful on-road miles demonstrate using diesel fuel with a 2% or higher blend of soy biodiesel increases lubricity and decreases equipment wear
  • Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act
  • A 2% blend in all U.S. on-road diesel could use the soybean oil from nearly 500 million bushels of soybeans, which is almost double Indiana’s crop
  • Indiana has 5 biodiesel plants with a combined capacity of more than 100 million gallons of biodiesel
  • 289 million pounds of soybean oil from Indiana soybeans goes to producing biodiesel
  • Indiana is home to the world’s largest integrated soy biodiesel facility
  • Biodiesel has the highest energy balance of any transportation fuel. The Dept. of Energy/USDA lifecycle analysis shows for every unit of fossil energy it takes to make biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained
  • According to the National Biodiesel Board, the U.S. set a record in 2011, producing 1.1 billion gallons of biodiesel
  • A recent economic study commissioned by National Biodiesel Board found that biodiesel production of 1 billion gallons supports:

    • More than $2.1 billion in household income.

    • 39,027 jobs across the country
    • An additional 11,698 jobs could be added between 2012 and 2013 under continued growth in the RFS and with an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive.

Additional Resources