Scientists test new feedstocks for making biodiesel

Capital Press
10/16/2008 12:38:00 PM

From jatropha to algae, new sources of biodiesel sought
Matthew Weaver Capital Press

The United States currently trails Europe in biodiesel production, a researcher says.

"We are way behind," said University of Idaho associate professor and chemical engineer Bingjun "Brian" He.

The major feedstock in Europe is rapeseed, and 2,000 pounds can be produced per acre, whereas the U.S. can only produce half that amount, due to weather or soil conditions, He said.

In the United States, soybean oil is still the dominant feedstock for biodiesel.

"The land is limited in the U.S.," He said. "We could not expand more acreage into either the soybean or other oil crops."

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