ASTM approves updated heating-oil spec to include biodiesel blends up to B50

Clean Fuels Alliance America welcomed the approval of the latest revision to ASTM D396, the standard specification for fuel oils, which now includes new grades for biodiesel blends containing 21 percent to 50 percent biodiesel by volume (B21-B50).

The updated specification, ASTM D396-26a, marks a major milestone for the clean-fuels industry and supports expanded use of higher biodiesel blends in heating applications.

The revision provides users and consumers of Bioheat® fuel with clear guidance on fuel properties and procedures needed to deliver the same or improved performance as fuels currently in use.

“In the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states where Bioheat® fuel adoption continues to grow, the updated standard provides the technical foundation and industry data needed to support higher biodiesel blends in heating markets,” said Scott Fenwick, Clean Fuels’ technical director.

“The specification provides greater confidence in the performance, reliability and emissions benefits of blends up to B50,” he added.

The revision passed through ASTM’s rigorous consensus-balloting process with no objections, underscoring broad industry support and confidence in higher biodiesel blends.

The approval reflects years of collaboration among Clean Fuels, the National Oilheat Research Alliance, leading equipment manufacturers including R.W. Beckett and Carlin Combustion, and other stakeholders who contributed the research, testing and technical data needed to support the specification.

“The recent approval of the ASTM standard to include blends of B50 biodiesel in liquid heating oil is another step forward in providing the American consumers with a high-quality, domestically produced, renewable energy source,” said NORA President Michael Devine.

“This new standard represents a significant step forward, particularly at a time when increased domestic energy production is a must in the United States,” Devine said. “On behalf of National Oilheat Research Alliance, we would like to thank all of the various stakeholders who worked tirelessly together to bring these new fuel blends to market.”

Higher biodiesel blends offer benefits beyond carbon reduction, including improved air quality, lower particulate and sulfur emissions, and reduced heat-exchanger maintenance.

Advances in burner technologies, improved fuel quality and innovations in cold-weather additives continue to support broader adoption and reliable year-round performance.

Feedstocks such as soybean oil also play an important role in delivering the quality and reliability needed for heating-oil applications.

“With ASTM D396-26a now in place, the industry has a powerful new tool to accelerate adoption of higher biodiesel blends and expand the role of clean fuels in reducing emissions from home heating,” Fenwick said.