In a reflection of how really closely related the two industries are, the National Biodiesel Board opens up its membership to qualified renewable diesel producers. This NBB news release says the move is expected to unite the advanced biofuels industry in the diesel sector under one tent and creating a stronger and more effective voice for both.

“We are excited to expand our membership to include renewable diesel producers,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of NBB, which traditionally has represented only biodiesel interests. “While produced with different technologies, biodiesel and renewable diesel are close cousins with a lot of shared interests, particularly in policy areas such as the RFS and the blender’s tax incentive. Joining forces puts us in a much stronger position as a coalition to make our voice heard and spread the word that these policies are working and that advanced biofuels are here today.”

“We have long been impressed with the work NBB does to represent the biodiesel industry and felt that joining forces was the next logical step,” said Randall C. Stuewe, President and Chairman of the Board of Darling International, Inc. which is a 50% equity owner in Diamond Green Diesel, a Louisiana-based Renewable Diesel plant with annual production capability of over 136 million gallons coming on line shortly. “Many of the same issues face both biodiesel and renewable diesel producers and we’re glad to be speaking with one voice on these issues.”

NBB points out that biodiesel and renewable diesel are both made with renewable resources such as soybean oil, animal fats and recycled cooking oils. The difference comes through the process that turns those materials into fuels, with biodiesel produced through a natural chemical reaction that takes place when alcohol is introduced to oils or fats in the presence of a catalyst and for renewable diesel, hydrogen is added to the oils or fats under high pressure and temperatures, converting it to a hydrocarbon very similar to diesel fuel refined from petroleum crude.