Biodiesel from Jatropha & Co.

Whether the struggle is preventing climate change, protecting the environment, or gaining independence from crude oil imports—the search for alternative energy sources is one of the most important challenges of the coming decades. Many industrial companies and legislators have now adapted their strategies to meet these needs. The goal is to conserve scarce raw fossil materials and use renewable resources as substitutes. One energy source in particular has established itself in this regard: biodiesel.

In many countries, this environmentally friendly fuel is already an obligatory blend ingredient in fossil diesel. This has been true in Germany since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol and the introduction of the Biofuel Quota Law in 2007 for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the blending of biofuels.

Path to biodiesel

Until now, biodiesel has been obtained from resources such as canola, soy, sunflowers, or used cooking oil which can be obtained, for example, from deep frying. These natural oils are called first-generation raw materials. The trend is now towards inedible vegetable resources. The so-called second-generation includes oil-rich plants that can be cultivated in dry, hot countries and survive with little irrigation. Among these plants are Jatropha curcas und Pongamia pinnata.

Jatropha - a new resource

Jatropha, also known as “Barbados nut” or “physic nut,” is a new resource for producing biodiesel. The plant is a member of the spurge family and has the advantage that it is not used as a food source and can be grown even in desert-like conditions. Thus areas in hot climate regions, which otherwise would remain uncultivated, can be used for growing the crop. The plant exhibits a good CO2 balance. In addition, the jatropha nut can be harvested only manually, so new jobs are created where the crop is grown.

From natural oil to high tech fuel

These developments are being followed with great interest in Niederkassel-Lülsdorf. Here, Evonik Industries produces catalysts, so-called alcoholates, which allow biodiesel to be produced efficiently. These are important because natural oils, due to their molecular structure, are not suitable for use in standard engines. The alcoholates from Evonik make it possible to convert oil to biodiesel and glycerin. “With our catalysts, biodiesel can be manufactured in an anhydrous process. This process avoids contamination of the products, which essentially makes their separation and preparation easier,” says Holger Kinzel, product manager for biodiesel at Evonik.

Investments in the booming biodiesel market

Because of increasing globalization, the growing world population, and growing economies, particularly in developing countries, the worldwide appetite for energy is steadily intensifying. The biodiesel market is expanding in response to the scarcity of raw fossil materials and keener environmental awareness.

Evonik is currently investing in the construction of an alcoholates plant in Mobile, Alabama, USA. Thus Evonik continues to pursue its strategy of investing in markets where the company already holds leading positions and expects long-term growth.

The construction of another plant to supply South America is being planned in Brazil.