Challenges and opportunities for large-scale production of biodiesel

Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum-based fuels derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, and used waste cooking oil including triglycerides. At present, the high cost of biofuels is the major obstacle to their commercialization. Biodiesel production costs are highly dependent on feedstock prices, with feedstock representing approximately 70% to 95% of the finished product cost. One major problem with biodiesel production is the availability of raw materials for the production. More than 95% of global biodiesel production is made from edible vegetable oils. However, extensive use of vegetable oils may cause other significant problems such as starvation in developing countries.