Biodiesel is a renewable and alternative fuel for any diesel engine. It can be made from any vegetable oil including animal fat, fish oil and organic grease. In South Africa, biodiesel is commonly made from Sunflower Oil and Palm Oil and less commonly from Canola Oil, Soy Oil, fats and grease. It contains no petroleum, is biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable and non-hazardous

Biodiesel is known by the chemical name Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). All it means is that it is a simple molecule made from vegetable oil which can be extracted from a variety of crops, nuts and seeds (see the main menu under FEEDSTOCK). Vegetable oil is a tri-glyceride i.e. it has three hydrocarbons chains attached to the same glycerine molecule.

Biodiesel burns clean, which results in a significant reduction in the types of pollutants that contribute to smog and global warming. When used in a diesel engine, biodiesel emits up to 75% less exhaust smoke emissions and up to 80% less Carbon Dioxide emissions. It is the only alternative fuel approved by the American Environmental Protection Agency. It has passed every Heath-Effects Test of the Clean Air Act and meets the requirements of the California Air Resources Board.

The production of Biodiesel is a relatively simple chemical process. Biodiesel is easy to use, handle, store and blend (mix with regular diesel).