Iowa biodiesel production breaks record in 2015

Biodiesel production in the US state of Iowa has set a new record of 242 million gallons in 2015, according to Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).

Biodiesel production was up from 227 million gallons in 2014 and topped the previous record of 230 million gallons set in 2013.

Once national numbers are announced, Iowa is expected to again lead the nation in biodiesel production in 2015.

IRFA says the record was made despite the uncertainty that surrounded US’ biofuels policy for most of the year.

“It must be said that Iowa’s record biodiesel production in 2015 is a testament to the efficiency of Iowa’s plants and to the effectiveness of Iowa’s state level policies promoting the production and use of biodiesel,” said Monte Shaw, executive director at IRFA.

“Considering neither the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) nor the federal biodiesel blenders’ tax credit were in effect for the vast majority of 2015, the resiliency of Iowa biodiesel producers really shone through in 2015.”

With both the RFS and biodiesel tax credits in place for 2016, Shaw says IRFA is “hopeful for big things” in the coming year.

Corn takes bite out of soya

The amount of Iowa biodiesel produced from soyabean oil decreased in 2015, but remains the largest feedstock in Iowa, accounting for 66% production, while animal fats held steady at 19% of biodiesel feedstocks.

With changes to some biodiesel plants’ technology, distillers corn oil made a big jump to 10% of production, up from just 2% last year.

Used cooking oil and canola oil accounted for the remaining 5%.

With 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually, Iowa remains at the top producer of biodiesel in the US.

In addition, Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4 billion gallons annually, including nearly 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity.