Myths about biodiesel’s ethical and climate challenges – what is true and what is false?

12. September 2022

2 minutes read

Many misunderstandings can arise about products – and biodiesel is certainly no exception. There are several assumptions about biodiesel, also when it comes to ethics and the climate.

We have therefore tried to answer some of the more common questions surrounding biodiesel, and this time especially when it comes to its ethical and climate challenges:

Myth	True	False	Both true and false
Myth 1: Biodiesel deprives agricultural land that could otherwise be used for crops within the food industry		The idea that the EU’s biofuels policy has had an impact on the global food supply or contributed to hunger is a myth. Instead, biodiesel makes a positive contribution by replacing imported protein feed for animals. About half of rapeseed production goes to protein feed, which could alternatively be soy cakes from South America. The vast majority of the fat from the seed is used for rapeseed cakes and otherwise rapeseed oil. Read more here.
Myth 2: Biodiesel helps to clear and destroy the rainforest		This of course depends on what the biodiesel is produced from – the claim is correct if the biodiesel is produced from palm oil, which has been much maligned because it can have a negative impact on the rainforest areas and burdens the climate due to the transport to Europe. But Biofuel Express’ B100 Biodiesel RME Premium is produced on rapeseed and not on palm oil.
Myth 3: Biodiesel stops working when it is cold	It is true that at very cold temperatures, biodiesel takes on a more solid form comparable to jelly that blocks filters and clogs fuel lines. However, our B100 Biodiesel RME Premium has been developed for use in cold climates and can therefore function down to minus 20 degrees.
Myth 4: Biodiesel is 100% fossil free			In the production process of B100 Biodiesel RME Premium, methanol is used. Methanol is available in both fossil and fossil-free versions. As standard, 50% biomethanol is used in the manufacturing process to ensure a greater proportion of biomass and thus improve the climate yield. On average, it is approx. 0.02% of the fuel’s end-product, which is fossil methanol. B100 Biodiesel RME Premium can also be offered 100% fossil-free and produced on pure biomethanol, if this is desired.