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What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils such as those from rape seed and sunflower seed.
In the transport sector, it may be effectively used both when blended with fossil diesel fuel and in pure form. Tests undertaken by motor manufacturers in the European Union on blends with diesel oil between 2% and 30% and 100% pure have resulted in guarantees for each type of use.
Minor modifications (seals, piping) is required for use at 100% pure, unless specifically guaranteed by car manufacturers.
The use of biodiesel as a transport fuel does not require any changes in the distribution system, therefore avoiding expensive infrastructure changes .
Biodiesel is also used as an efficient heating oil.
Biodiesel production uses around 1.4 million hectares of arable land in the EU.
see related article on rapeseed to biodiesel yields
Under appropriate economic conditions, biodiesel production could represent a significant absorbing potential for additional acreage resulting from the accession of Central and Eastern European Countries to the European Union.
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