NREL releases 2024 assessment of BQ-9000 biodiesel properties

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced the findings of the Assessment of BQ-9000 Biodiesel Properties for 2024, the eighth in a series of annual reports documenting the quality of biodiesel from U.S. and Canadian producers participating in the industry’s voluntary BQ-9000® accreditation program. 

The report, developed in partnership with Clean Fuels Alliance America and authored by Robert McCormick of NREL, analyzes monthly quality data provided by BQ-9000-accredited producers throughout 2024.  

The study evaluates critical fuel-quality parameters within the ASTM D6751 and Canadian CAN/CGSB-3.524 specifications.  

These include test methods such as kinematic viscosity, sulfated ash, distillation temperature, carbon residue, cetane number and levels of key metals including sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. 

Results from the 2024 assessment reaffirm that biodiesel produced under BQ-9000 accreditation consistently exceeds the performance limits set by ASTM International’s D6751 specification—the industry’s global consensus standard for biodiesel quality. 

“ASTM specifications, such as D6751 for biodiesel, are designed to reflect the minimum performance parameters and limits that provide the fuel performance that consumers and fleets have expected and deserve,” said Scott Fenwick, technical director for Clean Fuels. “This report demonstrates that the quality of biodiesel supplied by a BQ-9000-accredited producer exceeds the limits of the consensus, global specification from ASTM International.” 

This level of quality is now being translated into requests for higher volumes and higher blends by high-demand fleets such as on-road trucking, railroads, marine-shipping companies and home-heating applications. 

BQ-9000, administered by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission, is the biodiesel industry’s gold standard quality program, combining the ASTM D6751 specification with a rigorous quality-management system.  

Accredited producers undergo regular audits to ensure their programs meet or exceed the program requirements, giving consumers and fleets confidence in performance, reliability and emissions benefits. 

The 2024 Assessment of BQ-9000 Biodiesel Properties underscores the program’s critical role in advancing the adoption of higher biodiesel blends in diesel applications. 

The full report is available at nrel.gov.