Grainnet

Three More Companies Achieve Biodiesel Accreditation Status

Jefferson City, MO –- All of the major biodiesel producers in Minnesota are now accredited under BQ-9000, the voluntary biodiesel industry fuel quality control program.

Last week, FUMPA Biofuels of Redwood Falls, MN and Minnesota Soybean Processors of Brewster, MN became the latest accredited biodiesel producers.

Metro Fuel Corp. of Brooklyn, NY also became certified as a biodiesel marketer.

There are currently three BQ-9000 certified biodiesel marketers and 14 accredited biodiesel producers.

They account for more than 40 percent of the biodiesel production capacity in the U.S.

BQ-9000 helps companies improve their fuel testing procedures and reduces the chance of producing or distributing out-of-spec fuel.

The program is a unique combination of the ASTM standard for biodiesel, ASTM D-6751; and quality control system that includes storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices.

To receive accreditation, companies must develop a quality control manual and pass a rigorous review of their quality control processes by an independent auditor.

“Achieving the ASTM standard on every batch is critical to protect consumers and maintain the reputation of biodiesel as a high quality, high performance fuel,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO.

“We encourage all biodiesel producers and marketers to achieve and maintain certification under the BQ-9000 program to ensure that all biodiesel in the market meets the ASTM specification.”

SoyMor Biodiesel, Minnesota’s third major biodiesel producer, achieved accreditation in June.

Minnesota requires that all diesel fuel be blended with 2 percent biodiesel.

“We are very pleased to join the ranks of BQ-9000 producers,” said Charles Neece, FUMPA Biofuels’ Director, Research & Development.

“The additional attention to detail and fuel quality required for BQ-9000 certification strengthens our industry.”

“The Minnesota Soybean Processors are extremely proud to receive BQ-9000 accreditation,” said Rodney Christianson, CEO, Minnesota Soybean Processors.

“We applaud the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission for taking a leadership position to ensure that all biodiesel producers deliver quality fuel to the system. To grow the biodiesel industry, it is critical that we have high quality fuel that provides trouble-free use.”

Fuel quality does not stop at the plant gate. Petroleum distributors are often the last to touch the fuel before it goes into vehicles, so proper handling and blending of the fuel after it leaves the plant is critical.

“Metro has made a large commitment to renewable energy and has dedicated over one million gallons of storage capacity for biofuels,” said Paul Pullo, President, Metro Fuel Oil Corp.

“Quality and integrity are our utmost commitment, and the BQ-9000 program will help our industry grow and guarantee product integrity.”

Besides distributing transportation fuel, Metro also handles Bioheat® heating oil.

The new accreditations were announced after a biodiesel winter weather advisory was issued earlier this week by NBB and the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA).

NBB and PMAA issued the technical bulletin in response to concerns regarding the introduction of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel earlier this year, and recent biodiesel fuel quality testing results.

The two groups are now working together to monitor fuel quality concerns on both fuels independently, and share data about biodiesel/USLD blends and cold flow performance.

The winter ULSD has only recently become available for testing.

This winter, NBB has the following recommendations for fleet managers and other consumers:

Work with a reputable supplier who will stand behind the product Report out-of-spec biodiesel to the proper authorities, which can be found in NBB’s online Fuel Quality Guide

Buy fuel from BQ-9000 accredited producers or certified marketers, a list of which is available online at www.BQ-9000.org

For more information, call Amber Pearson, NBB, at 800-841-5849.