Biodiesel production in the U.S. 2001-2023

In 2023, the total volume of biodiesel production in the United States amounted to some 1.7 billion gallons. Biodiesel is intended to be used in standard diesel engines as a standalone fuel or blended with petroleum. 

Biodiesel – additional information

Biodiesel is made from a blend of various feedstocks that includes recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats. It is created through transesterification, where glycerin is separated from fat or oils, leaving two products: glycerin and biodiesel. Glycerin can often be further used in soaps and other products. Biodiesel production in the U.S. has skyrocketed since the early 2000s, rising from 9 million gallons in 2001. The U.S. is the third largest producer of biodiesel in the world and U.S. biodiesel exports reached around 7.15 million barrels in 2022.

Biodiesel that meets technical fuel quality and engine performance specifications can be used in current diesel engines, often with blends from about 5 to 20 percent biodiesel. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified biodiesel as an Advanced Biofuel due to its potential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants from petroleum diesel. However, the sustainability of biodiesel consumption has been questioned. Enacting stricter standards could regulate production of the fuel and act as a preventative measure against harmful biodiesel production. In 2022, U.S. biodiesel consumption amounted to approximately 1.6 million gallons.