BIODIESEL
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from renewable resources such as vegetable oils, rape seed, soya and palm oil. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic, and essentially free of sulphur and aromatics.
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerine is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products – methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerine (a valuable by product usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).
Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage. In
The European Union has set the goal of 2% use of biodiesel in 2005 with an increase of 0.75% per annum to 5.75% in 2010. Production is expected to triple due to EU requirements, with some member states adopting mandates earlier. The country with the highest capacity is
Asian biodiesel is made mostly from palm oil and is called Palm Methyl Ester (PME). Palm oil producing countries like
The use of biodiesel has various environmental benefits. Tests have shown that the toxicity of biodiesel is lower than that of petroleum-based diesel, and that in the environment it degrades more readily.
In terms of storage, handling and distribution, biodiesel is as safe as diesel, and it has a much higher ignition point. Biodiesel can be safely stored without degrading for up to six months, to keep for longer than that stabilising additives are needed.
ICIS pricing quotes Biodiesel in Europe, Asia and in the
Frequency:
Published weekly on Wednesdays in Europe and on Thursdays in the
Biodiesel (
Weekly Price Assessments:
Spot prices
Biodiesel (ASIA)
Weekly Price Assessments
Spot prices
Biodiesel (US)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Domestic spot prices in bid/offers
General Information:
Assessment window: Price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Wednesday at 1700 hours in London, Houston and Singapore.
Specifications: ICIS pricing assesses rapeseed methyl ester (RME) biodiesel according to international standard EN14214. Vegetable methyl ester (
Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered within 4-6 weeks from the date of publication.
Terms: 30-60 days after the bill of lading.
Standard cargo size: Typically cargo sizes are 1,000-3,000 tonnes in Europe, while in
Assessment basis: The reports contain market commentary and analysis including details of traced spot transactions, supply/demand issues, export/import information news when applicable, spot prices, contract price negotiations and general sentiment for price direction. In
In Asia, most plants sell on European EN 14214 specifications to European buyers and to some in the
| ICIS free trials |
|
|
INSIGHT: Industry to face new safety regulations
“Congress may move next year to force the CSB to implement its decade-old reporting mandate.” more
We welcome your feedback. Please feel free to send us your comments on any aspect of this site. Click here to make your comments.