Biofuel Feedstock Reference

Common biofuel feedstocks — vegetable oils, animal fats, used cooking oil, tallow — with FFA, IV, and yield characteristics.

README

Purpose	Quick-reference feedstock properties for renewable diesel (HVO), SAF, and biodiesel (FAME)
Sources	ASTM D6751 (biodiesel), ASTM D7566 (SAF), EN 14214
Sources	CARB LCFS Look-Up Tables (latest public pathway table)
Sources	NREL feedstock database; EIA Monthly Biodiesel Production Report
Sources	DOE Billion-Ton Report; USDA ERS Oil Crop Outlook
Note	CI scores are representative midpoints — verify pathway-specific CI for regulatory use
Note	Hydrogen consumption figures assume HVO/renewable-diesel route; FAME transesterification much lower

Feedstocks

Biofuel Feedstock Properties and CI Scores

Feedstock	Class	Typical Iodine Value	FFA (wt%)	Oxygen (wt%)	Density 15°C (kg/L)	Sulfur (ppm)	H2 demand HVO (scf/bbl)	Yield HVO (vol%)	CARB CI g/MJ	Cost trend	Key notes
Soybean oil	Virgin veg oil	125-140	0.5-2	10.9	0.918	<5	1800-2200	85-88	50.4	Medium	US mainstream feedstock; food-vs-fuel concerns
Canola / rapeseed oil	Virgin veg oil	110-120	0.5-2	10.9	0.915	<5	1600-2000	87-90	47.5	Medium	High cold-flow; preferred for SAF
Palm oil	Virgin veg oil	50-55	2-5	11.0	0.919	<5	1200-1500	89-92	71.5	High-CI	LUC penalty — high CI; avoid for LCFS
Used cooking oil (UCO)	Waste	80-110	2-15	11	0.92	<10	1500-2000	85-88	15.8	Stable	Top CI performer; limited supply
Beef tallow	Animal fat	40-55	0.5-5	11	0.905	<20	1000-1400	87-90	21.3	Low	Strong cold-flow penalty — needs isom
Pork lard	Animal fat	55-70	0.5-5	11	0.91	<15	1100-1500	87-90	24.5	Low	Similar to tallow but softer
Distillers corn oil	Waste co-product	110-130	4-15	11	0.92	<10	1700-2000	85-88	20.1	Stable	Ethanol plant byproduct
Camelina oil	Non-food oilseed	130-155	<2	11	0.912	<5	1800-2100	85-88	22	Low	Rotation crop; cold-climate friendly
Carinata oil	Non-food	90-110	<2	11	0.915	<5	1600-1900	87-90	23	Low	CORSIA-eligible cover crop
Jatropha oil	Non-food	95-110	2-5	11	0.918	<10	1600-2000	85-88	29	Experimental	Limited commercial supply
Algae oil	Advanced	80-140	5-15	11	0.92	<20	1800-2200	85-88	37	Experimental	Not yet commercial at scale
Tall oil fatty acid	Kraft pulping byproduct	150-180	85-98	12	0.95	50-200	2500-3000	82-86	17	Niche	Pre-treatment required for metals
Brown grease / trap grease	Waste	50-90	20-70	11	0.92	<20	2000-2500	82-86	14	Stable	High FFA; pre-treat via glycerolysis
Fish oil	Waste byproduct	120-180	1-5	11	0.915	<5	1800-2100	85-88	19.5	Low	PUFA rich; lower CI
Corn starch (ethanol)	Starch crop	n/a	-	-	0.79 (ethanol)	-	-	-	73	Medium	Ethanol (not biodiesel); shown for CI comparison
Sugarcane (ethanol Brazil)	Sugar crop	n/a	-	-	0.79	-	-	-	27.3	Medium	Low CI ethanol pathway

Product Specs

Finished Fuel Spec Summary

Biodiesel (B100)	ASTM D6751	Flash point	≥130°C	D93
Biodiesel (B100)	ASTM D6751	Water & Sediment	≤0.05 vol%	D2709
Biodiesel (B100)	ASTM D6751	Cloud point	Report	D2500
Biodiesel (B100)	ASTM D6751	Sulfur (S15)	≤15 ppm	D5453
Biodiesel (B100)	ASTM D6751	Acid number	≤0.50 mg KOH/g	D664
Biodiesel (B100)	ASTM D6751	Cold soak filtration	≤360 sec	D7501
Biodiesel (EU)	EN 14214	Iodine value	≤120 g I/100g	EN 14111
Biodiesel (EU)	EN 14214	Oxidation stability	≥8 h Rancimat	EN 15751
SAF (HEFA)	ASTM D7566 Annex A2	Aromatic content	≤25 vol%	D1319
SAF (HEFA)	ASTM D7566 Annex A2	Freeze point	≤-40°C	D2386
SAF (HEFA)	ASTM D7566 Annex A2	Flash point	≥38°C	D56
SAF (HEFA)	ASTM D7566 Annex A2	Blend limit	≤50 vol% w/Jet A	ASTM D7566
SAF (ATJ)	ASTM D7566 Annex A5	Blend limit	≤50 vol%	ASTM D7566
Renewable Diesel	ASTM D975	Drop-in replacement for ULSD	-	Same as petro-diesel
Renewable Diesel	ASTM D975	Cetane	≥40 (≥70 typical HVO)	D613

Source: Biofuel_Feedstock_Reference_v1.xlsx

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