In 2011, the biodiesel market has certainly come back and it appears to be picking up some steam as we go into the the fourth quarter. At Midwest Laboratories, we have noticed a a trend upwards in the number of biodiesel samples being analyzed for quality. It is good to see this industry come back, there is room for optimism for the short term. At the same time, no one quite knows where this industry is headed.
In a separate story, several biodiesel producers received biofuel payments from the USDA to go towards the production of biodiesel from biomass material. “Eligible feedstocks include cellulose; crop residue; animal, food and yard waste materials; biogas; vegetable oils; animal fats; and sugarcane.” Source Biodiesel Magazine, October 31, 2011
Because of this renewed interest in biodiesel production, biodiesel quality is getting attention again.
In the November issue of Biodiesel Magazine, “Easier than Ever” – Midwest Laboratories Lab Manager John Coonfare expounds on the changes that have occurred in biodiesel testing and the need for biodiesel producers to work with private laboratories to help save on costs with respect to equipment needed for biodiesel testing.
In addition, the November issue of Biodiesel Magazine, “Clearing the Way for Byproduct Quality Brent Pohlman talks about the increased volume of glycerine samples. Glycerine was a strong commodity in 2008 and it has finally started to come back with the increased production of biodiesel.
Hopefully, the biodiesel $1 tax credit will be a part of an energy bill going forward in 2012 to help keep this industry going again. It will be interesting to see where this industry is headed. Lots of potential, but as we witnessed in 2008, anything can happen. There are some good stories of producers who have weathered the last two years and hopefully those stories will be brought to light as this industry tries its best to keep going.
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