In its latest release, DEUTZ AG reports on the state of release for the use of biodiesel as pure fuel. The release lists the engine series for which biodiesel has been permitted as pure fuel and the future TCD 2015 series, for which the release has been announced for 2010.
DEUTZ AG underlines that exclusively biodiesel complying with specification DIN EN 14214 must be used. Users are therefore recommended to make a careful choice of the suppliers and of the necessity of obtaining a letter of guarantee from their suppliers that the specification of DIN EN 14214 will be met. In this context, DEUTZ recommends to its customers in Germany to „provide additional safety of the quality of biodiesel by obtaining a certificate of AGQM (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Qualitätsmanagement Biodiesel e.V.)“.
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The International Energy Agency’s Task 39 "Commercializing of the 1st and 2nd Generation Liquid Biofuels from Biomass" is going to inform the important producer and consumer countries about the results of a survey of grant policy basic parameters for biofuels with a continually updated report.
Interviewees for the survey were experts of the respectives countries. For Germany, the UFOP presented a report in collaboration with the chairman of the UFOP expert commission „Biofuels and renewable resources“, Prof. Dr. Munack (vTI) who is also a member of the IEA’s Task 39. The report considers the current politic state of discussion as far as possible at the time of delivery.
Final Report Abstract promoted by:
• Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR • Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP • Volkswagen AG Wolfsburg • Fuchs Europe Schmierstoffe GmbH
Currently Biodiesel (RME) is mixed according to EN 14214 and EN 590 with up to 5% of fossil Diesel fuel. With a further increase of RME fraction to 10% (B10 blend), there are uncertainties regarding the undisturbed longlife behavior due to variations of the physicochemical properties of RME in comparison to commercial Diesel fuel.
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John Deere engines are technologically up-to-date and prove their reliability even under the most demanding operating conditions. An indispensible prerequisite for this capacity is a fuel that matches the Diesel-Standard (EN 590).
The research at John Deere is working intensely on applications of alternative fuels. These new concepts must also reach a high performance and product reliability at all costs – the specific development is accordingly demanding.
During the testing of rapeseed oil as an alternative to diesel, John Deere will be cooperating with partners renowned in this area of expertise. The development is however, not yet completed; an approval for rapeseed oil can thus not yet be given at this time.
Current bio fuel politics in Germany and the EU – a critical appraisal
The biodiesel industry is entering a difficult consolidation phase, not just in Germany, but in the entire European Union. The cause is the discussion and policy position for the introduction of binding quantity objectives for biofuels at both EU and national levels. It is obvious that the non-government organisations (NGOs) have achieved a breakthrough with their criticism and reservations on the green fuel policies issued by the European Union and the German government.
The increasing use of rapeseed meal as feedstuff for pigs and the development of the sales market for laying hens make a low content of glucosinolate an absolute necessity. Viewed in the light of the requirements of monogastric animals concerning the high digestibility of proteins and a high praecaecal digestibility of amino acids, stronger toasting in the oil mill process with the aim of accelerating the degradation of glucosinolate should strongly be Rejected.
Olive and rapeseed oil are both considered beneficial for lipid metabolism because of their high content of monounsaturated fatty acids. In this analysis were compared postprandial lipid metabolism after test meals with these plant oils including hydrogenated plant oil as a reference. Please download the detailed report here.
We compared two methods, suitable for use by crop consultants and farmers, for their ability to provide rapid and accurate estimates of the risk of slug damage to winter oilseed rape crops. The first method is a simple technique for estimating the population density of slugs in soil, by rapid flooding of soil samples, developed in 2002 and 2003. The technique involves digging soil samples with a spade and flooding them over a period of three days with one further day of observation.
This project has built on an initial pilot project in 2002, to develop a simple technique for estimating the population density of slugs in the soil of fields to be sown with oilseed rape. Soil samples were dug with a spade then placed in a cool place in water-tight and slug-proof containers. Slices of kohlrabi were placed on top of the soil, which was gradually flooded over a period of three days.
Immature and adult slugs were extracted from soil at nine field sites in four locations (Braunschweig, Göttingen and Stuttgart in Germany, Somerset in England) by flooding soil samples over a 3-day period. Slugs were also sampled by trapping and slug damage to oilseed rape was recorded at the same field sites. Additional tests were done at other field sites.
The undersigned participants of the International Oilseed Producers Dialogue (IOPD) from June
16-17, 2008 in Berlin, Germany adopt the following declaration:
IOPD members wish to develop and promote a sound industry business environment that will
allow oilseed producers the opportunity for viable and profitable ongoing returns.
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The Magazine Of The Union For The Promotion Of Oil And Protein Plants
This year’s rapeseed blossom period is nearly upon us. In 2008, UFOP will once again be making best use of the natural spectacle that characterises the German landscape in spring to provide information on the most important domestic oil crop in its own magazine.
This latest issue of Rapsmagazin focuses on crop utilisation for fuel, a theme that has shifted into the public eye in light of the current fiscal and environmental dialogue. The magazine also reports comprehensively on sustainable rapeseed cultivation in Germany and its use as a raw material in biofuel production.
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UFOP has commissioned the Institute for Energy and Environment (IE) to deliver a survey with an evaluation of cost and environmental performance of biofuels made from native resources. The survey compares calculations of the IE with references in literature.
A short version of this study is available for download here.
UFOP has commissioned the Institute for Energy and Environment (IE) to deliver a survey with an evaluation of cost and environmental performance of biofuels made from native resources. The survey compares calculations of the IE with references in literature. A long version of this study is available for download here.
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There are two requirements established in the draft of the “German Biomass Sustainability Ordinance“ (BioNachV):
Bio-fuels may only be taken into account if they meet the needs according to § 37a paragraph clause 1 and 2 in connection with § 37a paragraph 3 of the Federal Immission Control Act (Germany) provided if it can be proven that:
They comply with the requirements mentioned in § 2 regarding the sustainablecultivation of agricultural areas and the requirements mentioned in § 3for the protection of natural habitats,
thebio-fuels have a determined greenhouse gas (GHG)-reduction potentialaccording to § 4 paragraph 1.
From a quota system to GHG reduction requirements and the impact on biofuels
Since biofuels have been criticised increasingly in the recent past, current proposals for the reorientation of biofuels policy at German and European levels require sustainability certification of biofuels.1 In addition to the assurance of sustainable biomass production for bioenergy, reduction of GHG is also highly emphasized. The tendency is to no longer set mere volume or energetic quotas for the use of biofuels. It rather becomes apparent that in future policies GHG saving targets or at least a minimum percentage of GHG savings for biofuels, which can be accounted for within the quota system or tax promotion will dominate.
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Joint Strategy between BMU/BMELV, VDA, MWV, IG, VDB and DBV
At the round table discussions on biofuels held on 17 January and 5 June 2007 respectively, a joint strategy to promote biofuels – the Biofuels Roadmap – was agreed between Germany’s automotive industry, oil industry, SMEs operating in the oil industry, agricultural sector, Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) and Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). The Roadmap sets out the medium-term measures needed to promote the use of biofuels in Germany and the EU.
Back in 1990 the UFOP established a completely new organisation structure in germany. All companies, associations and institutions participating i the production, processing and marketing of indigenous oil and protein-bearing plants are gathered under the UFOP banner. Read more about the tasks, structure, members and funding of UFOP by downloading the UFOP-Imagefolder.
Extracts from the UFOP report 2006/2007 written by Dieter Bockey, Biodiesel specialist of the UFOP. The extract gives an overview about the development of Biodiesel production and sales in Germany and describes the political discussion and decisions affecting Biofuels.
Experts generally agree that for now only biofuels will play an important part in strategic supplies on the way to long-term sustainable mobility in the transport sector, while biofuels are also seen to make an important contribution in fulfilling climate conservation obligations. Germany’s leading technical position in the EU in developing production capacities for biodiesel and also for vegetable oils and bioethanol is a result of Germany’s promotional political framework (biofuel quota legislation) and the current market environment of comparatively high fossil fuel prices. The report of the UFOP can be downloaded on the following page.
The following version of the legislation of the biofuel quota does not represent the official translation. Content is intended for information only. Legally binding is the official German version in the Bundesgesetzblatt, which can be found under: http://www.bundesgesetzblatt.makrolog.de/.
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These guidelines have been developed under the Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Initiative in cooperation with UFOP to support sustainable management practices for winter oilseed rape (WOSR) production.
Biofuels are seen by experts currently as the only alternative to fossil fuels which are able to make a noteworthy contribution to secure mobility in the short to medium-term. This was emphasised by the Association of the German Automobile Industry (VDA) in February 2006 when it imposed a voluntary 10 % blending obligation of biofuels to diesel fuel and gasoline for the car industry.
Key words: biodiesel, biofuel quota act, DIN EN 14214, taxation, biodiesel market.
Key points for the Advancement of the Biofuel Strategy in Germany and the European Union
Published by: German Farmers’ Association (DBV)
Association of German Biofuel Industry (VDB)
German Biofuel Association (LAB)
Union for Promoting Oil and Proteinplants (UFOP)
The Ifo Institute, using an input/output analysis, examined the macroeconomic effects to be expected from the increasing use of biodiesel, also under the conditions of a gradual reduction of tax benefits. Scenarios for 2007 and 2009 were developed as to how the value added chain of biodiesel from rape-seed production up to the diesel pump has direct and indirect effects on production, employment and the public budgets.
Abridged version of the UFOP Report 2005/2006
The main factors for the political motivation to promote the use of biofuels are the protection of the climate, securing the fuel supply, and the development of rural areas. Given the rapid rising of the crude oil price and increasing geopolitical uncertainties, the security of energy supply does not only govern politics in Germany but around the globe.
With a sales volume of around 1.8 m tonnes per annum in 2005, biodiesel has become the most significant alternative to fossil fuel. The success of biodiesel is in part due to tax benefit. But also due to the simple fact that solar energy is stored in rapeseed, sunflowerseed and soyabeans in liquid vegetable oil form with a high energy density.
Every litre of biodiesel saves 2.2 kg greenhouse gases
Biodiesel (rapeseed oil methyl ester, RME), made from rapeseed, has become increasingly important as a source of fuel. During the last year alone its production has increased by approximately 30 % to 1.1 Million tonnes. In recent years there has been significant progress made in scientific research into biodiesel
Here you can find the information brochure "Green Power - From Diesel Engines Burning Biological Oils and Recycled Fat".
The paper presents MAN B&W Diesel group’s advances in the field of renewable energy from workshop and field testing to commercial operation of medium-speed Diesel engines with a variety of liquid biofuels including biological oils and recycled fat.
Here you can find the sales information brochure “Bio fuels for Diesel Engines”.
Comparison of Shell Middle Distillate, Premium Diesel Fuel and Fossil Diesel Fuel with Rapeseed Oil Methyl Ester
In its 2004 report on sustainable development the previous German government reached the conclusion for fuels that by 2020 the increase in efficiency in diesel and Otto engines as well as innovative power generation concepts will play a central role. Biofuels such as biodiesel will in the future particularly be incorporated as components of blends.
The updated report of the UFOP “Biodiesel and vegetable oils as fuels” offers an overview of the current situation of biodiesel and vegetable oils. In 1990, when the UFOP was founded, biodiesel was an unknown product in Germany. With its inter-professional structure, the association had placed its reliance on this alternative fuel from the very beginning. In the meantime biodiesel has established itself as the biofuel in Germany.
The suggestion by the German government to introduce duties on biodiesel was rejected by the “Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants“ (UFOP). This conclusion was reached by the German government in its recently issued report to parliament on the tax incentives for biological fuels.
Within the space of a decade, bio-diesel has turned from a virtually unknown product into a significant fuel on the market. Germany’s bio-diesel turnover accounted for just 45,000 t in 1995, but had risen to about 1,800,000 t in 2005. Although the emergence of bio-diesel in Germany is undoubtedly a success story, questions continue to arise with regards to the fuel's potential applications, problems and properties. The diversity of expressions "Bio-diesel", "FAME", "PME", "RME" and "AME" is causing increasingly confusion among sellers and buyers. Bio-diesel is often mistaken for vegetableoil fuel, although both products differ in terms of basic properties. This article is intended to improve the reader's understanding of this topic.
The European project PREMIA /PREMIA 2005/ is to assess the effectiveness and cost efficiency of policy measures to support the market introduction of alternative motor fuels. In this framework, for single subtasks subcontracts were established. Regarding the production and usage of biodiesel in Germany the ifeu – Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg was charged by VITO, Belgium, to create a survey.
Facts • Arguments • Tips
2nd updadet edition
Increasing prices and environmental consciousness are making alternatives to conventional fuels more and more interesting. As the most successful alternative fuel, biodiesel has already occupied a permanent place at Germany’s filling stations.
Grain legumes are plants belonging to the legumonosae (or Fabaceae) family, which also includes forage legumes. They are cultivated primarily for their grains, which are used either for human consumption or for animal feed. Due to their high lysine content, they are a good complement for cereals and may promote more efficient use of protein, by meeting animal requirements more precisely and by reducing the nitrogen surplus excreted in animal urine. The incorporation of grain legumes into compound feed products depends on the selected species and variety, as well as the growth stage of the animals.
Here you can find two statements on the use of Biodiesel fuel by the Engine Manufacturers Association (“EMA”) and the companies Bosch, Delphi, Denso, Siemens VDO and Stanadyne.
Download „Statement of The Engine Manufacturers Association“ (“EMA”) (210 KB)
The biodiesel market in Germany is booming – but for how much longer? In the last ten years production and consumption of biodiesel have increased several-fold. The new UFOP brochure gives answers to the biodiesel production and marketing in Germany 2005.
The Union for Promoting Oilseed and Protein Plants participated in the "Conference On Biofuels - Challenges for Asian Future" that took place in Bangkok, Thailand on August 30 - 31, 2004. Dieter Bockey of the UFOP gave a lecture on the "Policy initiative schemes and benefits of biofuel promotion in Germany - Current status of legislation and production".
The production of biodiesel has made a substantial leap in the past years, particularly in the European Union. From 1996 to 2002, the biodiesel production capacity was increased by a factor of four to a total of 2 million tonnes.
The more stringent regulations for diesel engine emissions lead to the requirement that both fuels and engines must be developed jointly. In the future, so-called designer fuels will help to achieve the stringent limits.
The Biodiesel Market is growing – but the challenges too!
Dieter Bockey, Biodiesel specialist of the UFOP, gives an overview about the development of biodiesel production and sales in germany in this brochure. He also gives an outlook on the perspectives of this booming fuel, that recently got a further promotion by the EU Commission. The proposals of the EU Commission on the promotion of biological fuels will have an advantageous effect on the production of bio fuels in the expanding European Union.
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The use of BIODIESEL in buses is extremely interesting in view of the ecological and economic criteria.
The extensive experience, made in two operations, is now available in the form of detailed empiric reports. These are published by the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP). A sixty-page detailed analysis describes the technical re-equipment of the various vehicles and all aspects of the conversion process.
In its up to date study "Total economic assessment of oil seed rape cultivation for Biodiesel production", the ifo-Institute for economic research in Munich came to the conclusion that this growing production branch secures and creates some 19,000 jobs in agriculture, the processing of raw materials and the marketing of Biodiesel. These jobs are dependent on Germany's 900,000 tons of Biodiesel capacity being supplied by native rapeseed cultivation from 2003 on.
This UFOP booklet you can download here was written for all who must or wish to take care of their cardiovascular system. Correct nutrition is an important aspect of this and can help to keep the cholesterol level balanced and to protect the arteries against encrustation. The so-called "Crete diet" has proved to be a particularly effective form of protection.
The gently produced rapeseed oil gives a subtle pep to salad dressings, dips and marinades. In German kitchens, rapeseed oil has usually remained anonymous under the general designation "vegetable oil", but quality from Germany has a name, and tastes good too. That is why vegetable oils made from rapeseed are proclaimed more and more often. If you are interested in cooking with rapeseed oil you can try out the recipes in the booklet that can be downloaded here.