How many biodiesel plants are there in the United States?
There are 61 operable biodiesel production plants in the United States, according to the most recent U.S. Energy Information Administration data as of January 1, 2024. The figure can fluctuate year to year as facilities idle, restart, or convert to produce renewable diesel or other fuels, but the EIA’s annual capacity survey provides the latest official tally.
Contents
What this count includes—and what it doesn’t
Not all fuel made from fats, oils, and greases is counted the same way. Understanding definitions helps explain why different sources sometimes report different numbers.
- Operable biodiesel plants are facilities capable of producing biodiesel (typically via transesterification) and not permanently closed. Some may be idle at any given time.
- Operating plants are those actively producing biodiesel; this number can be lower than the operable count and varies with market conditions.
- Renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants use different processes (hydrotreating/HEFA) and are not included in the biodiesel plant count, though they often use similar feedstocks.
- Nameplate capacity refers to the annual production capacity a plant is designed to achieve; U.S. biodiesel capacity totals more than 2 billion gallons per year.
These distinctions matter because policy, feedstock prices, and fuel markets can shift production between biodiesel and renewable diesel, affecting both the number of active plants and how industry size is reported.
The latest numbers and why they’re changing
The EIA’s January 1, 2024 survey lists 61 operable biodiesel plants nationwide. Industry consolidation and conversions to renewable diesel have trimmed the plant count from earlier years, even as overall output of biomass-based diesel (biodiesel plus renewable diesel) has grown. State and federal policies—such as the Renewable Fuel Standard and low-carbon fuel programs—continue to influence which facilities operate and what they produce.
Where the industry stands now
While biodiesel remains a major component of the U.S. low-carbon fuels mix, growth in renewable diesel capacity—concentrated in larger, refinery-scale facilities—has been the dominant trend since 2021. That shift helps explain why the number of smaller biodiesel plants has edged down even as total biomass-based diesel supply has increased.
How to verify and track updates
Because plant status can change with market conditions, it’s best to rely on regularly updated, official datasets and trade association summaries.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): Annual biodiesel plant count and capacity by state (latest as of Jan. 1, 2024). See EIA’s biodiesel capacity tables and documentation at eia.gov/biofuels.
- Clean Fuels Alliance America: Industry overviews and state-by-state resources covering biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF at cleanfuels.org.
- State energy offices and low‑carbon fuel standard program dashboards (e.g., California LCFS) for plant status and credit-generation trends.
Checking these sources periodically will provide the most current plant count and context on capacity utilization and market shifts.
Bottom line
The United States currently has 61 operable biodiesel plants (EIA, Jan. 1, 2024). The number is subject to change as facilities cycle between operation and idling or are converted to renewable diesel, reflecting evolving policy incentives and feedstock economics.
Summary
As of the latest official tally, the U.S. hosts 61 operable biodiesel plants. Differences between “operable” and “operating,” and the rapid expansion of renewable diesel, explain why plant counts and production levels can diverge. For the most up-to-date figures, consult the EIA’s biodiesel capacity reports and industry resources from Clean Fuels Alliance America.
How big is the biodiesel industry?
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market value in 2022 | USD 34.10 billion |
| Revenue forecast in 2030 | USD 73.05 billion |
| Growth rate | CAGR of 10.0% from 2022 to 2030 |
| Base year for estimation | 2021 |
Who is the largest producer of biodiesel in the US?
The Renewable Energy Group (REG)
The Renewable Energy Group (REG) is the largest biodiesel producer in the U.S., with 5 plants and capacity of 432 million gallons.
How many biorefineries are in the US?
Installed ethanol biorefineries in the U.S. 1999-2024
The United States had 198 operating ethanol biorefineries in 2024. This is almost four times the number of such refineries back in 1999, but a slight decrease from 2014. The U.S. accounts for the greatest share of global ethanol production.
What state produces the most biodiesel?
Iowa
Biodiesel production in the U.S. 2022, by key state
Iowa is the leading biodiesel producer in the United States.
