Fast Facts

What is canola biodiesel?

• A cleaner-burning alternative for diesel fuel
• Made from canola oil, a natural, renewable resource 
• Can be used in any regular diesel engine with no modification
• Viable alternative for on-road vehicles, from municipal fleets to long-haul trucks, as well as off-road equipment used for mining, forestry, construction, agriculture and marine industries
• Can be used in its pure form (B100) or mixed with petroleum diesel
• Not the same as ethanol, which is an alternative to gasoline 

Benefits for environment and health

• Reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to petroleum diesel
• Cuts exhaust emissions, including black smoke, odour, greenhouse gases, air toxins and particulates
• Non-toxic and completely biodegradable
• Emits less polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrated PAH compounds (potential cancer causing compounds)
• Contains virtually no sulphur oxides or sulphates (major components of acid rain)

Why canola is an ideal feedstock for biodiesel

• More oil per unit of seed, with less by-product
• Low in saturated fat, which is linked to improved cold weather performance for biodiesel. 
• Proven in major biodiesel-producing regions like Europe, Asia and the United States

How Canada would benefit from biodiesel production

• Would drive the growth of jobs, investment and research, particularly in Western Canada
• Every $100 million of additional demand for canola generates $83 million in Canadian Gross Domestic Product and more than 730 direct jobs in value-added industries 

North American demand for biodiesel

• Used by more than 20 major fleets in Canada and 500 major fleets in the U.S.
• 3.5 million litres of biodiesel used in Canada in 2004
• Canada’s new requirement for 2% renewable content in diesel fuels will increase the need to 600 million litres 
• A 5% renewable content requirement would push the need to 1.3 billion litres 

How we can help Canada’s biodiesel industry grow

• Create a reliable domestic market by increasing renewable content requirement
• Introduce investment incentives for industry
• Support farmer equity investments
• Establish quality standards for biodiesel