The National Biodiesel Board has recognized a group of U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers for finding new uses for natural glycerine, a by-product of biodiesel production, replacing glycerine made from non-renewable petroleum.
This press release from the NBB has details:
For their research, Drs. Richard Ashby, Daniel Solaiman and Thomas Foglia of the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service Eastern Regional Research Center (EERC) in Wyndmoor, Penn. received the 2008 Glycerine Innovation Award. The award recognizes outstanding achievement for research into new applications for glycerine, with particular emphasis on commercial viability.
The award, sponsored by the National Biodiesel Board and the Soap and Detergent Association, was presented today at the 99th Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society in Seattle, Washington.
“Through the development of new eco-friendly commercial uses for glycerine, the USDA is making an important contribution to our global environmental sustainability,” said Steve Howell, NBB’s Technical Director. “Commercial uses for natural glycerine help improve the overall value of biodiesel production while finding new uses for environmentally friendly, domestically produced products that can replace petroleum-based products.”
The biodiesel glycerine is being used in a wide variety of products from cosmetics to hard plastics.