BIODIESEL EXPLAINED
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, low-emissions fuel produced from natural feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled waste oils. Chemically known as a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), biodiesel is designed for use in compression ignition (diesel) engines as an alternative to fossil-based mineral diesel.
Biodiesel can be used either as a direct replacement in approved diesel engines or blended with conventional diesel in varying concentrations, including blends up to B20 (20% biodiesel) commonly used across commercial and industrial applications.
As a renewable fuel solution, biodiesel has the potential to significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions while supporting fuel security, regional industries and more sustainable supply chains. Unlike many future energy technologies that require major infrastructure change, biodiesel can integrate into existing diesel engines, transport systems and fuel infrastructure today.
At ProGreen Biofuels, we believe sustainable biodiesel should do more than reduce emissions — it should create long-term value for farmers, regional communities and Australian industry through locally connected energy systems and circular supply chains.
Market Opportunity
Australia produces and exports millions of tonnes of potential feed stocks every year with the majority of these commodities going into biodiesel production in other countries.
Feedstocks
Biodiesel is made from lipids, including animal fats, vegetable oils or waste cooking oils. These can include dedicated streams sourced directly from circular agriculture.
Production
Biodiesel can be produced in volume via a simple chemical process either in large biodiesel refineries or using smaller modular processing facilities such as the BioCube.
Carbon Neutral
Biodiesel can reduce exhaust emissions and is classified as having a Zero Carbon Life Cycle Analysis.
Carbon in the Regional Energy Hub model is reclaimed throughout the fuel lifecycle.
THE PROGREEN REGIONAL ENERGY HUB MODEL
Energy Farming
Energy Farming is the term given to growing any crop that can be used to produce either mechanical, electrical or thermal energy.
ProGreen is exploring specific oil seed bearing cultivars such as canola or Indian mustard which function as energy crops, grown in rotation with food crops whilst also enhancing the yield of those food crops.
ProGreen has partnered with Climate Friendly to explore potential methodologies that create value streams for the farms participating in a Regional Energy Hub.
01
Diversify farm incomes
Creating multiple income streams from carbon credits, energy farming practices that promote better food yields and shared revenue from energy markets – without the need for agricultural land use conversion.
02
Enhance soil health and water retention
Improving farm resilience, increasing yields and reducing demand on precious resources, whilst lowering input costs.
03
Sequester millions of tonnes of CO₂
Through rotational cropping, new intensive farming technologies, soil carbon initiatives and the introduction of bio-fertilisers and fumigants, carbon can be sequestered and returned to soils and crops.
04
Produce viable sustainable biodiesel locally
Millions of litres of domestic production could meaningfully offset mineral diesel imports and carbon intensity of transport fuels, whilst providing affordable national fuel security for critical sectors such as agriculture and logistics.
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