New quality specifications for 6-20 percent blends of biodiesel have been unveiled by ASTM, the organization that standardizes specifications for products in the marketplace.

This press release from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says the standards came during ASTM meetings this week in Phoenix after six years of collaboration by industry representatives and will mean more automakers will approve B20 in their engines:

“This is a huge step forward for the biodiesel industry, as major engine companies and petroleum refiners joined the biodiesel industry in voting for passage of this ballot,” said Steve Howell, chairman of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force. “We have known for years that B20 made with in-spec biodiesel is a good quality, reliable fuel, but OEMs, regulators and customers have demanded formal ASTM passage of a B20 blend spec in order to broaden their support for biodiesel blends. The biodiesel industry is delivering that.”

The majority of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) view the adoption of an ASTM blended fuel specification as a key component for full, universal acceptance of B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petrodiesel. Chrysler has previously announced the company plans to issue formal support for B20 once ASTM has formally approved B20 specifications.

The measure will still need approval by the ASTM’s Main Committee when it meets in June.