ASTM approves standard biodiesel blend specifications

ASTM International D02 Main Committee approved a trio of long-awaited ASTM specifications for biodiesel blends.

After more than five years of extensive research and subsequent balloting by the ASTM fuel experts in the blended fuel balloting process, ASTM has finally voted to approve three key sets of biodiesel specifications that should significantly bolster automaker support and consumer demand for biodiesel:

• Changes to the existing B100 biodiesel blend stock specification (ASTM D6751).
• Finished specifications to include up to 5% biodiesel (B5) in the conventional petrodiesel specification (ASTM D975).
• A new specification for blends of between 6 percent biodiesel (B6) to 20 percent biodiesel (B20) for on and off road diesel.

Automakers and engine manufacturers have been requesting a finished blend specification for B20 biodiesel blends for several years, with some citing the need for that spec as the single greatest hurdle preventing their full-scale acceptance of B20 use in their diesel vehicles.