Fiat Powertrain explores biodiesel from Brazil-native macaúba

Photo: CNH Industrial

March 5, 2020

BY Ron Kotrba

Italy-based Fiat Powertrain (FPT) Industrial, a brand of Case New Holland (CNH) Industrial N.V., is investigating production and use of biodiesel made from Acrocomia aculeata, more commonly referred to as macaúba—a native palm tree to Brazil, the Caribbean and South Florida.

Macaúba oil was extracted by Cooper Riachão, a rural producers cooperative in the region of Montes Claros in the state of Minas Gerais, and biodiesel was transesterified in an experimental plant. Research was conducted at the Technical Center in Betim with the main focus on its application as a fuel for agricultural tractors.

The project was carried out in partnership with the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas), the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and Bchem Biofuels, using an FPT Industrial N67 Tier 3 engine fitted to Case IH and New Holland Agriculture tractors. 

Advertisement

Mixtures of 10 and 20 percent of macaúba biodiesel were used. Results showed performance and consumption comparable to Brazilian commercial diesel, with reduction of carbon monoxide and particulate matter emissions.

While this project focused on use of macaúba biodiesel blends in agricultural tractors, tests for trucks and buses, as well as power generators, are planned for the future. 

Advertisement

Related Stories

Neste and DB Schenker, a logistics service provider, have collaborated to work towards expanding DB Schenker’s adoption of Neste MY Renewable Diesel in Asia-Pacific. DB Schenker trialed the fuel from December 2024 to February 2025 in Singapore.

Read More

U.S. operatable biofuels capacity increased slightly in January, with gains for ethanol, according to the U.S. EIA’s Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstock Update, released March 31. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to December.

Read More

Illinois increases biodiesel blend rate to B17

Article image

By Illinois Soybean Association

April 01, 2025

Effective April 1, Illinois’ biodiesel blend requirements have increased from B14 to B17. The increase was implemented via a bipartisan bill passed in 2022, according to the Iowa Soybean Association.

Read More

U.S. farmers are expected to plant 83.5 million acres of soybeans in 2025, down 4% when compared to last year, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s annual Prospective Plantings report, released March 31.

Read More

ADM and Mitsubishi Corp. on March 27 announced the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a strategic alliance to explore potential areas of future collaboration across the agriculture value chain.

Read More

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement