Which plant is used for biodiesel production?

Jatropha curcas is a widely cited plant used for biodiesel production, especially in textbooks and policy discussions; however, many oilseed crops—such as soybean, rapeseed/canola, sunflower, palm, camelina, pongamia (karanja), mahua, and castor—are also used around the world, with the choice varying by region, climate, and sustainability considerations.

How biodiesel is produced and why feedstock choice matters

Biodiesel is typically made by transesterification, a chemical process that reacts vegetable oils or animal fats with an alcohol (usually methanol) in the presence of a catalyst to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and glycerin. The properties of the resulting biodiesel—such as cold flow performance, oxidative stability, and cetane number—depend strongly on the fatty acid profile of the feedstock plant, making the selection of the oil source a crucial step in production planning and policy.

Major plants used for biodiesel feedstock

The following list highlights commonly used oilseed plants for biodiesel across different regions, reflecting both agronomic suitability and market availability.

• Jatropha curcas: Non-edible oilseed shrub historically promoted for marginal lands; used in niche projects despite uneven yields.
• Soybean (Glycine max): Dominant in the United States; abundant supply supports large-scale biodiesel output.
• Rapeseed/Canola (Brassica napus): Widely used in Europe and Canada; favorable cold-flow properties for temperate climates.
• Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis): High oil yield in tropical regions (Southeast Asia); sustainability concerns have led to restrictions in some markets.
• Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): Used in parts of Europe and Eurasia; good-quality oil with balanced properties.
• Camelina sativa: Low-input oilseed gaining traction for biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pathways.
• Pongamia/karanja (Millettia pinnata): Leguminous tree used in India and Australia; non-edible oil and agroforestry benefits.
• Mahua (Madhuca indica): Traditional Indian feedstock collected from wild or semi-wild stands; local-scale biodiesel use.
• Castor (Ricinus communis): Non-edible oil with unique fatty acids; used in blends due to viscosity considerations.

While the specific plant chosen depends on local conditions and policy, these feedstocks underpin most commercial biodiesel production globally; additionally, used cooking oil and animal fats are increasingly favored for sustainability, though they are not plant-based.

Why Jatropha is often named as the answer

Jatropha curcas is frequently taught as the go-to “biodiesel plant” because of its non-edible oil, potential to grow in semi-arid regions, and early policy enthusiasm. The reality, however, is nuanced.

Advantages associated with Jatropha

These points summarize why Jatropha gained prominence in early biodiesel initiatives.

• Non-edible oil avoids direct food-versus-fuel conflicts.
• Adaptability to dry or marginal lands (in principle) reduces competition with prime farmland.
• Relatively high oil content in seeds compared to some traditional crops.
• Potential use in hedgerows and degraded land restoration projects.

These attributes made Jatropha attractive on paper, particularly for countries seeking rural energy options and land rehabilitation.

Challenges that limited large-scale Jatropha adoption

Field experience revealed several constraints that tempered initial expectations.

• Highly variable yields without proper cultivars, irrigation, and fertilization.
• Labor-intensive harvesting and seed handling increase costs.
• Economic returns often inferior to mainstream oilseeds in competitive markets.
• Supply chain and market risks for niche, non-food oils.

As a result, Jatropha remains in niche or localized projects rather than dominating global biodiesel supply chains.

Current market reality and sustainability trends (2024–2025)

Today’s biodiesel landscape varies by region. The United States relies heavily on soybean oil, with growing use of canola and distillers’ corn oil. The European Union historically used rapeseed but now increasingly turns to used cooking oil (UCO) and waste fats; the EU has been phasing down high-ILUC-risk palm oil. In Southeast Asia, palm oil remains abundant but faces strict sustainability requirements. Emerging oilseeds like camelina and pongamia are gaining attention for lower-input cultivation and compatibility with advanced biofuels, including renewable diesel and SAF. Across markets, waste and residue oils are rising due to strong greenhouse-gas reduction incentives and certification schemes.

Bottom line

If you need a single plant name, Jatropha curcas is the commonly cited answer. In practice, biodiesel is produced from a wide range of oilseed plants—most notably soybean, rapeseed/canola, palm, sunflower, camelina, pongamia, mahua, and castor—chosen according to local agronomy, economics, and sustainability goals.

Summary

Jatropha curcas is often identified as the plant used for biodiesel production, but global biodiesel relies on multiple oilseed crops, with soybean and rapeseed/canola leading in major markets and increasing emphasis on sustainable, non-food or waste-based feedstocks. The optimal choice depends on regional conditions and evolving sustainability standards.

What is the main source of biodiesel production?

vegetable oils
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, yellow grease, used cooking oils, or animal fats. The fuel is produced by transesterification—a process that converts fats and oils into biodiesel and glycerin (a coproduct).

How many biodiesel plants are there in the US?

There are currently 72 FAME biodiesel production facilities located in the United States. The total nameplate production capacity of these 72 plants is 2.3 billion gallons per year. Plants are scattered across the U.S., with the largest concentration in the eastern half of the U.S. and the far west.

What plants are used for biofuel?

These so-called “energy crops” include wheat, corn, soybeans and sugarcane [source: Walker]. Biofuels burn cleaner than fossil fuels, releasing fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. They are sustainable, and energy companies often mix biofuels with gasoline.

What are the best plants for biodiesel?

Sugarcane and corn are used to make ethanol, which is often used as an additive to gasoline, while soybeans and rapeseed (canola) are used to create biodiesel. These plant-derived fuels can be used on their own to drive combustion engines but more often they are blended with traditional gasoline or diesel.