Biodiesel

The production of biodiesel will complement ethanol as an alternative renewable fuel for Queensland. 

Biodiesel is produced and widely used in Europe and the United States and now is produced in many parts of the world, including Canada, China, India, South East Asia and Australia.

What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel for diesel engines, and is produced from renewable resources.  It is biodegradable, virtually non-toxic, and can be used in most diesel engines without engine modification.

Biodiesel is currently produced in Queensland from animal by-products such as tallow or waste products such as cooking oil. In addition, oilseed crops such as soybeans, canola, cotton seed and mustard seed can also be used.  The feedstocks used for biodiesel production are renewable unlike petroleum diesel.

Is biodiesel safe to use in my vehicle?

Biodiesel blended fuel can be used in cars, trucks, buses, farm equipment, boats and trains.

Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but can be blended with distillate to create a biodiesel blend.  To confirm your vehicle's compatibility with biodiesel, simply check with the manufacturer.

Biodiesel blends can be used directly in an unmodified diesel engine and due to its similar properties to petroleum diesel fuel, the two fuels can be mixed together.  For example, the most common blends are B5 (5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel) and B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel).

How I can be assured of quality?

Fuel retailers are required to produce biodiesel to strict industry specifications to ensure it meets performance requirements as well as Federal Government vehicle fuel standards.

Where can I find biodiesel in Queensland?

Are there any environmental benefits in using biodiesel?

Yes.  Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from renewable resources, and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel.

Biodiesel blends are also an attractive fuel option for environmentally sensitive areas due to its relatively low toxicity and biodegradability. 

National parks and marine environments such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are areas that would benefit substantially from using biodiesel.  The effects of biodiesel spillage are less severe than those of petroleum diesel spillage on the environment, making it a smarter option for boats in areas such as reefs and river systems.

What are the other benefits?

Queensland's developing biodiesel industry has strong growth potential.  Queensland currently consumes approximately four billion litres of petroleum diesel and is fast establishing a supply capability in biodiesel.  A sustainable biodiesel industry will:

• Provide rural and regional economic development
  
• Create new jobs and revenue streams in the agricultural sector
  
• Help to reduce the economy's reliance on imported finite fossil fuels and improve domestic fuel security
  
• Extend diesel fuel supplies for use in Queensland's mining, agricultural, marine and transport sectors
  
• Improve air quality and the environment

Please Note: Prior to the use of any biofuels, always check your vehicle's suitability with the manufacturer.