Big Win for Biodiesel: ASTM Approves New Biodiesel Blend Spec...( Automakers Fleets Encourage...)

Automakers, Fleets Encouraged by New Biodiesel Standards

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The biodiesel industry is celebrating today following last night's final vote by the ASTM International D02 Main Committee to approve a trio of long-awaited ASTM specifications for biodiesel blends. After more than five years of extensive research and subsequent balloting by the ASTM fuel experts in the blended fuel balloting process, ASTM has finally voted to approve three key sets of biodiesel specifications that should significantly bolster automaker support and consumer demand for biodiesel:

- Changes to the existing B100 biodiesel blend stock specification (ASTM D6751)

- Finished specifications to include up to 5% biodiesel (B5) in the conventional petrodiesel specification (ASTM D975)

- A new specification for blends of between 6 percent biodiesel (B6) to 20 percent biodiesel (B20) for on and off road diesel.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080620/CLF034LOGO )

Automakers and engine manufacturers have been requesting a finished blend specification for B20 biodiesel blends for several years, with some citing the need for that spec as the single greatest hurdle preventing their full-scale acceptance of B20 use in their diesel vehicles.

Steve Howell, Chairman of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force, said, "The new ASTM specifications for B6-B20 blends will aid engine manufacturers in their engine design and testing processes to optimize the performance of vehicles running on biodiesel. The new specifications will also help ensure that only the highest quality biodiesel blends are made available to consumers at the retail pump."

Automaker Chrysler LLC was instrumental in working with the ASTM task force toward B20 specification development and approval, having supported fleet use of B20 in its Dodge
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