Crambe emerges as new biodiesel feedstock; hardy plant is less input-intensive than soybeans

In North Dakota, Cleantechnica has profiled the rise of crambe, a new biofuels feedstock. “Crambe is an inedible Mediterranean native that was introduced to the U.S. in the 1940’s and established in several states.  In addition to its potential as a biofuel, crambe oil is used to manufacture synthetic rubber, as well as erucic acid-based materials like plastic film and nylon,” according to the Cleantechnica report.

The plant is drought-tolerant, and less costly to cultivate in the US than soybeans. Meanwhile, the University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center has developed a process to convert crambe oil into drop-in fuels , made from biomass but performing like fossil fuels and capable of using existing fossil fuel distribution infrastructure.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Eastern Ag Research Center trials nine biodiesel feedstocks including flax, safflower and cambe

In Montana, the Prairie Star ran a profile on a project at Montana State University's Eastern Ag Research Center that has trialed every oilseed crop that can grow in a five-state area to determine fea...

60 Mgy biodiesel project in Iowa officially abandoned

In Iowa, a proposed 60 Mgy biodiesel plant in Hardy has been officially abandoned, when the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors signed a contract termination agreement. The Future Energy plant was or...

Cow tallow as biodiesel feedstock: Brazilian plant opens

Cattle Network reports that a new biodiesel project in Brazil will use cow tallow as a feedstock. The first cow tallow biodiesel plant opened in Brazil in 2005. Tallow, which cost around 30% less than...

R-3 Energy debuts 1.4 Mgy chicket fat biodiesel plant in Kansas

In Kansas, R-3 Energy has commenced production at its 1.4 Mgy chicken fat biodiesel plant in Cottonwood Falls, about halfway between Wichita and Kansas City. According to the project developers, th...

Osage Bio Energy to break ground on 65 Mgy ethanol plant, largest in US using barley as feedstock

In Virginia, Osage Bio Energy announced that it will break ground next month on its Appomattox Bio Energy plant, a 65 Mgy barley ethanol plnt that will be the largest in the US using barley as a feeds...

Pongamia Pinnata proposed as a biofuels feestock; hardy Australian tree provides shade, inedible oil seeds and thrives in rough conditions

In Australia, the Pongamia Pinnata tree is being investigated as a potential feedstock producer for biofuels. The tree has flourished as a shade provider in the northern state of Queensland, but its a...