Feedstock - Get what you need when you need it.

It has been said that the job of the biodiesel plant owner is to get up every morning and shop for cheap feedstock. It's not far from the truth. Getting the right feedstock at the right price can make or break your business. Clearly feedstock is 4/5ths the cost of doing business. The good news is that is really isn't that difficult and BBP can help you get it right the first time. Call us for weekly price updates.

Here are a few tips, and tricks.

Obtain One Reliable Source
In order to keep the plant running, it is wise to have one very reliable source. Often this means securing a contact with one of the major suppliers. Knowing that you can always get feedstock delivered with a quick phone call adds a lot of reassurance to daily operations. The only drawback is that with major suppliers you will most likely pay a premium for the luxury of that quick phone call. It's reliable but may not be as profitable as you would like. Still, keep that one reliable source in your back pocket. You will need it now and then.

The Right Price
Once you have that reliable source in your back pocket, now comes the real money making work of spot pricing. Keep the plant running with the market price feedstock from a reliable source, then hunt for spot prices on alternative feedstocks. Here is where a versatile tank farm pays off. Keep a load of your standard feedstock on hand. Then like we said, get up each day and shop for cheap feedstock. The market fluctuates daily so you must be ready to grab it up. BBP has numerous leads for those bargain deals.

Tolling Operations and Corporate Agreements
A tolling plan can be useful especially if it is managed well. A tolling agreement provides a continuous supply of feedstock usually linked with an agreement to sell the fuel as well. Operators receive a "Tolling Fee" that is usually some margin that may be fixed or possibly including some type of market factor. This can be good, as it will keep your plant running. The down side is that you always have the corporate sponsor in your books and the margins are usually pretty slim, often less than 2%. But there are some negotiating tricks that can really increase that margin. Call BBP to find out how to get the most out of tolling agreements.

Types of Feedstock
Each type of feedstock has unique advantages, price, availability, quality, production methods, and fuel quality all factor in to your decision process. We at BBP understand all aspects of biodiesel production and feedstock advantages. Let BBP help reduce the worry and get things flowing smoothly before you start production.

Feedstock Types and Specifications

Feedstock Type	Specifications
Canola	Availability: Good to excellent. Production locations: US, Canada, Europe Quantity produced in USA: Limited Worldwide production: Fair % of Biodiesel made from: FFA ranges: 0.4 - 5.0 process dependant Processing notes: B-100 Cloud Point: 26° f Iodine Index: 97 - 115 Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: 7.67 Notes:  Has the best cold weather properties of all feedstocks. Cloud point can be below freezing. http://www.canola-council.org/
Soy	Availability: Ample world wide Production locations: USA, Brazil, Europe Quantity produced in USA: Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: 60% of all fuel is soy FFA ranges: 0.2 - 2.0 Processing notes: Easy to use B-100 Cloud Point: 38° f Iodine Index: 125 - 140 Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: 7.65 Notes:  http://www.soyohio.org/
Jatropha	Availability: Limited as of 2008 Production locations: Arid warm climates  Quantity produced in USA: None Worldwide production: Increasing rapidly % of Biodiesel made from: Limited none in USA FFA ranges: 0.4 - 5.0 process dependant Processing notes: Poisonous, may need filter B-100 Cloud point: Iodine Index: Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes:  Must be hand picked limited to 3rd world countries. Millions of hectares are being planted worldwide.  http://www.jatrophabiodiesel.org/
Castor	Availability: Prolific in central and south America Production locations: Warm tropical zones Quantity produced in USA: Limited Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: Limited FFA ranges: 1.0 - 5.0 Processing notes: Some species are difficult to use B-100 Cloud Point: Iodine Index: Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes: Research being done for greater use http://www.castoroil.in/uses/fuel/castor_oil_fuel.html
Sunflower	Availability: Fair to Good location dependant Production locations: Canada, USA, Europe Quantity produced in USA: Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: Limited, (price) FFA ranges: 0.3 - 5.0 Processing notes: Works well B-100 Cloud Point: Iodine Index: 125 - 135 Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes:  http://sunflowernsa.com/oil/
Mustard	Availability: Moderate to good Production locations: Canada, north USA, Europe Quantity produced in USA: Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: Limited but increasing FFA ranges: Processing notes: B-100 Cloud Point: Iodine Index: Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes: Also has good cold weather properties
Palm	Availability: Prolific world wide Production locations: Tropical zones Quantity produced in USA: None Worldwide production: Unknown % of Biodiesel made from: ~20% and increasing FFA ranges: 0.4 - 10.0 process dependant Processing notes: May require esterification B-100 Cloud Point: 35 - 45° f Iodine Index: 85 - 85 (oleine) Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes:  Palm is one of the major feedstocks of the future. Huge crops are being planted worldwide. http://www.mpob.gov.my/
WVO	Availability: Moderate to good Production locations: Universal Quantity produced in USA: Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: 15% FFA ranges: 2.0 - 18.0% Processing notes: May contain high MIU, High FFA B-100 Cloud Point: 46° f Iodine Index: Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes: Due to the difficulty of collection, it has limited value for larger operations.
Edible Tallow	Availability: Good to excellent Production locations: Mid west USA, S.A. Europe Quantity produced in USA: Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: ~20% and increasing FFA ranges: 0.7 - 6.0 Processing notes: May need filtering, esterification B-100 Cloud Point: 66° Iodine Index: 50 - 60 Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes: Use on the increase, refined types are becoming more available. Moderate cold properties.
Coconut Oil	Availability: Limited Production locations: South east Asia, S.A. Quantity produced in USA: none Worldwide production: Limited % of Biodiesel made from: .5% (availability, FFA) FFA ranges: 7.0 - 40% Processing notes: Always requires pre-process B- 100 Cloud Point: 45°+ Iodine Index: 100 - 115 Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: 7.71 Notes: Limited production, however it is rumored that large quantities are available in Malaysia. http://www.cottonseed.com/
Cotton Seed	Availability: Good to excellent location dependant Production locations: USA, Europe, Africa, S.A. Quantity produced in USA: Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: 15% (price) FFA ranges: Processing notes: B- 100 Cloud Point: Iodine Index: 100 - 115 Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: 7.72 Notes: Africa has huge supply, it is used as a cooking food which drives price. http://www.cottonseed.com/
Poultry Fat	Availability: Good to excellent location dependant Production locations: USA, Europe, Africa, S.A. Quantity produced in USA: Worldwide production: % of Biodiesel made from: 20% FFA ranges: 2.5 - 8.0 Processing notes: Usually requires some blending B-100 Cloud Point: Iodine Index: Specific gravity: Weight per gallon: Notes: Usually good pricing, easy to get, has some cold flow difficulties. http://www.cottonseed.com/
For other feedstock information contact BBP