Additive makes biodiesel the ‘cleanest’ liquid fuel in the US

The California Air Resource Board (CARB) has certified a biodiesel additive that will make B20 blends in California the ‘cleanest’ proven and tested diesel fuel with the lowest emissions profile available anywhere in the US.

“Biodiesel has been a key to help California meet its intense carbon reduction goals. With this announcement, America’s Advanced Biofuel will continue to deliver a cleaner burning, American made alternative under the state’s low carbon fuel standard,” said Donnell Rehagen, National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO. “Biodiesel will gladly take the role as the cleanest certified diesel fuel available.”

The additive reduces every measurable regulated emission in biodiesel, including nitrogen oxides, when blended with California's unique diesel formulation called CARB diesel. NBB led the initial research and development into the additive, in a bid to maintain biodiesel’s competitive advantage under the state’s low carbon fuel standard.

"This impressive NBB-led effort, over the course of the past eighteen months, has resulted in a first-of-a-kind CARB approval, which enables biodiesel to be the renewable fuel of choice to meet California's stringent LCFS carbon reduction requirements," said Pat McDuff, CEO, California Fueling.

"As a result of this effort, biodiesel will continue to play a major role in helping Californians meet their renewable energy and clean air goals," said Paul Nazzaro, president, Pacific Fuel Resource. "By increasing biodiesel use up to a B20 blend, estimated to be an additional 600 million gallons of cleaner-burning biodiesel annually, California can now achieve its goals under the LCFS."

Named VESTA 1000, the CARB certified additive ensures compliance with the 1 January, 2018 implementation of CARB’s Alternative Diesel Fuel Regulation. A 20% blend of biodiesel with VESTA 1000 reduced NOx by 1.9% and particulate matter by 18% compared with CARB diesel fuel.

The formula will be produced by California Fueling, while Pacific Fuel Resource will deliver the product to market. The two companies will work cooperatively with NBB members as well as those in the California fuel community to support the ongoing use of biodiesel/diesel blends up to B20, according to a statement from NBB.

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