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Imperium Renewables announced yesterday (5th March) that it has achieved BQ-9000 certification for its Seattle Biodiesel subsidiary. The program is a unique combination of the ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) standard for biodiesel fuel production and one set by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Program, a cooperative and voluntary program for the accreditation of producers and marketers of biodiesel fuel, which focuses on overall quality management systems.
“From day one our pledge was to produce biodiesel from vegetable oil that would meet or exceed the quality and performance of petroleum diesel,” said John Plaza, Founder and President of Imperium Renewables. “BQ-9000 builds on the work we do to provide ASTM specified products to validate to our customers and distributors that our fuel meets the same quality standards as petroleum diesel. Unlike petroleum diesel, however, our fuel is made 100 percent from renewable energy resources, such as soy and canola oil, and emits up to 78 percent less carbon dioxide. Same quality, just better for our planet.”
The ASTM is the recognized standard-setting body for fuels and additives in the United States. Its specification for biodiesel (ASTM D6751) is to be used in blends up to 20 percent with petroleum diesel fuel which meets its corresponding specification (ASTM D 975). The resulting fuel is a high quality, premium diesel fuel which has been shown to perform well in virtually any unmodified diesel engine. ASTM D6751 tests for adherence to standards in a number of key fuel components, including: flash and cloud points, viscosity, acid number, water and sediment, sulfur and free/total glycerin.
The BQ-9000 certification program builds on this fuel quality standard by requiring companies to have approved quality management systems, including storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices. Accreditation is awarded following a successful formal review and audit of the facility. and the commitment of the applicant to produce biodiesel fuel that meets the ASTM D-6751 specification for Biodiesel Fuel. The accreditation process is comprehensive and includes a detailed review of the applicant’s Quality System documentation, followed by a formal audit of the applicant’s conformance to its System. More can be found about the BQ9000 program by going to http://www.bq-9000.org.
“The BQ-9000 rating only reinforces what we’ve experienced in blending Seattle Biodiesel’s high quality fuel,” said Frank Pupo at Associated Petroleum Products, a major Washington state distributor. “It’s clear that they’re committed to setting the industry standard.”
Partnering with Seattle Biodiesel allows Associated to meet the growing biodiesel needs of its customers, which include both private companies and public entities like the State of Washington and a broad range of municipalities, with biodiesel produced in Washington state.
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