Truck Used in Revolutionary B100 Pilot to be Showcased at 2021 Farm Progress Show

(National Biodiesel Board) Truck Was Part of Cooperative Pilot Program That Could Pave the Way to Widespread B100 Use in Fleets -- One of the five trucks used in last year’s cooperative B100 pilot program will be on display at the 2021 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. The pilot, conducted by ADM, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), Optimus Technologies, American Lung Association (ALA), National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of commercial implementation of Optimus Technologies’ Vector System, which enables conventional diesel vehicles to operate on 100% biodiesel (B100). Five of ADM’s Class 8 over-the-road trucks, equipped with The Vector System, were used in daily fleet operations. These vehicles successfully traveled hundreds of thousands of miles on B100, even in the coldest temperatures of a central Illinois and Missouri winter.

“We’re all looking for ways to enhance the sustainability of our transportation system, and last year’s pilot program was an important step in proving the viability of significantly wider use of low-carbon biodiesel in truck fleets,” said Scott Fenwick, NBB technical director. “We’re collecting and analyzing the data from the past year and look forward to discussing the details soon. That said, one thing that was clear is that the five trucks in the program worked well in a variety of conditions, including record-low temperatures over the winter. We’re excited by the opportunity, and proud to display one of the trucks used in this pilot at the 2021 Farm Progress Show.”

The cab will be displayed outside ADM's exhibit at the corner of Seventh Progress Street and Central Progress Avenue.

B100 is a readily available, high-performance solution for lowering carbon and tailpipe emissions from diesel vehicles. A groundbreaking study conducted by Trinity Consultants and sponsored by the NBB reaffirmed decades of studies showing that biodiesel burns significantly cleaner and reduces carbon emissions by 74% on average compared to petroleum diesel fuel. The study focused on a shift to B100 for transportation and home heating in 13 communities on the East Coast, West Coast and Colorado. The study found that a switch to B100 would result in a variety of health benefits, including a 45% reduction in cancer risk amongst the transportation sector and an 86% reduced cancer risk in the heating oil sector in communities where B100 was used in place of petroleum diesel fuel and heating oil respectively.

The implementation of Optimus Technologies’ Vector System in ADM’s fleet is a significant advancement toward a cleaner environment and garnering the benefits that have been observed in the Trinity Consultants study. The successful pilot also proves the viability of implementing low-carbon, renewable biodiesel as a high-performance and clean-burning alternative that is known to offer superior cetane and lubricity when compared to petroleum diesel fuel.

“Although the ADM pilot program utilized aftermarket technology to use B100 throughout the winter, it’s important to realize that any unmodified diesel vehicle can use up to B20 during cold weather,” said Pete Probst, biodiesel specialist with the Illinois Soybean Association. “In fact, B20 blends have been used successfully all year-round even in the coldest climates in the US by simply following best practices for any fueling operation. Removing excess moisture from storage tanks and properly blending fuels with recommended cold flow additives before cold weather sets in will help ensure a problem-free winter.”

More information from ISA on biodiesel can be found in booth #605 at the Farm Progress Show.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.

The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is a statewide, farmer-led organization working to improve opportunities for Missouri soybean farmers though a combination of research, outreach, education and market development efforts through the soybean checkoff. To learn more, visit the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council online at mosoy.org.

Optimus Technologies is a clean energy technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Optimus manufactures The Vector System, an advanced fuel system technology that enables diesel engines to operate on 100% biodiesel. The Vector System is designed for medium and heavy-duty fleet applications where emissions reductions are challenging or impossible to achieve in a cost-effective manner through other means. The Vector System integrates into existing operations to facilitate a seamless transition to low-carbon fuels.

Optimus’ Vector System is in use with leading municipal and private fleets throughout the country such as DC Public Works and ADM. Use of The Vector System has enabled these fleets to achieve near-zero carbon emissions, while also reducing their fuel and fleet operating costs. Learn more at www.optimustec.com.

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research. The Association’s Department of Clean Air Initiatives is dedicated to providing clean air for all through its award-winning Clean Air Choice® program, which focuses on promoting and implementing alternative fuels and technologies. Learn more at cleanairchoice.org.

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel and renewable diesel are better, cleaner fuels that are available now for use in existing diesel engines without modification. NBB is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel and renewable diesel value chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers, and fuel distributors. READ MORE