Carolina Biofuels
1410 Cross St, Durham, North Carolina, United States

Biodiesel is a fuel used for cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles, and sometimes for heating oil. Its a replacement for the petroleum-based diesel fuel thats commonly in use now.  It can be made from vegetable or even animal oils, sometimes from used restaurant frying oil, sometimes from canola oil or other plant oils.  It can be used in most vehicle diesel engines with only minor, if any, modifications to the engines.

Whats so great about biodiesel?

• clean burning - Biodiesel yields significantly less carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulates, sulfate than petroleum diesel. It can yield slightly more nitrogen oxide, but research is addressing this.
• truly renewable - Biodiesel is made from a variety of plant oils, greases, and even leftover restaurant oil.
  can be produced domestically and locally - The oil needed to make biodiesel can be grown in the United States, or anywhere theres arable land.
• safer to have around - Not only is biodiesel non-toxic, its not very flammable at storage temperatures. Its also biodegradable, so spills dont pose a threat to water and soil resources.
• good for engines - Biodiesel has greater lubricity than regular diesel fuel, which reduces wear on engine parts. It also acts as a solvent in engines, reducing build-up.

What are the potential drawbacks of biodiesel?

We believe that the advantages of using biodiesel far outweigh the potential problems, but we can imagine smart readers thinking, "theres got to be a catch". Here are the two main environmental issues with biodiesel; we believe both are quite solvable.Another issue is the amount of land and other agricultural resources needed for making source oil. To make enough biodiesel to totally replace all fuel used for heating and transportation in the United States, according to Wikipedia, "it would require twice the land area of the US to be devoted to soybean production..." There are significantly better crops for oil production than soybeans (rapeseed/canola yields more than twice as many gallons per acre, algae much more), and research into improving oil yields continues. Very promising work is being done with cultivating very-high-yield algae. And conservation plays an important role in any energy plan.

Eco-Coaching   

We believe in service. Our world is in crisis, and we need to shift our economies to sustainable energy quickly. Were willing and able to help other biofuels businesses get off the ground.  Having been in the biodiesel industry since 2004, and with over twenty years in the environmental business community, we have the experience that can help you.  Were happy to consult on critical strategies and design considerations for all kinds sustainable business and energy issues.

Asphalt and Concrete Release Agent 

 Our asphalt and concrete release agent is made with methyl esters and is very low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and is approved for use by DOT and EPA.  Due to a ban on similar petroleum-based products by U.S. EPA, a virtually unlimited market for biodiesel release product exists. It will not release toxins into the air or ground. It is also a much cheaper alternative to mineral oil based release agents. This product is available in 275 gallon totes or by tanker delivery.