THE PROJECT

The mission of MBM's B100 Project is to identify, develop, and deploy cost-competitive, environmentally acceptable, and safe production of biomass-derived diesel transportation fuel.

MBM will become the largest primary biodiesel producer in the country.

No matter what the process or feedstock, the B100 produced must meet fuel-grade quality standards, or it cannot be considered a fuel. This distinguishes B100 from chemical-grade fatty acid methyl esters and minimizes any changes in engine performance and durability. B100 can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help us leverage our fossil fuel supplies pricing. It can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as public health risks associated with air pollution. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, free of sulphur and carcinogenic benzene. It is safe to handle, transport, and store, and has a higher flash point than petroleum diesel.

A diesel engine can - with no modifications or expensive retrofits - operate on B100. It can also be stored in diesel tanks and pumped with regular equipment. B100 mixes readily with petroleum diesel at any blend level, making it a very flexible fuel additive. B100 is an oxygenated fuel, so it contributes to a more complete fuel burn and a greatly improved emissions profile. The more B100 used in a blend, the higher the emission reductions.

Engine performance (torque and horsepower production) with B100 and B100 blends is virtually the same as with straight petroleum diesel. Its Btu content is slightly lower than that of diesel. Even very low amounts of B100 can provide substantial lubricity benefits to premium diesel fuels. B100 is typically used as a fuel additive in 20% blends (B20) with petroleum diesel in compression ignition (diesel) engines, although other blend levels can be used depending on the cost of the fuel and the desired benefits.

Every litre of B100 displaces 0.95 litre of petroleum-based diesel over its life cycle. It is also very energy efficient. For every unit of fossil energy used to produce B100, 3.37 units of B100 energy are created. Additionally, B100 reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO²) being released into the atmosphere. It releases less CO² than does conventional diesel, and the crops used to produce B100 absorb large amounts of CO² as they grow. And because B100 is non-toxic and biodegradable, it is an excellent fuel for use in fragile environments such as estuaries, lakes, rivers, and national parks.