Rothsay Biodiesel announces fleet results

Posted July 20, 2010

Rothsay Biodiesel, the Guleph, Ontario-based producer, has a message for other biodiesel users. In 2009, Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., fueled its truck fleets with biodiesel, resulting in a carbon reduction of approximately 700 tons and the removal equivalent of roughly 130 cars from the road. Combined with its cleaner, proven fueling solution, the company said the fleet's biodiesel usage shows successful performance in real-life operating conditions. "Our biodiesel blends, which are produced from inedible animal byproducts and recycled restaurant grease, have proven they perform well in our Canadian climate," said Todd Moser, vice president of Alternative Fuels at Rothsay.

"This is the message we want other potential biodiesel users to see," said Mike Paszti, director of technical services and innovation for Rothsay. One hundred and thirty seven trucks are fueled with Rothsay-produced biodiesel, and in 2009 the fleets traveled a combined 3.3 million miles, using more than 600,000 gallons blended at an average of 9.2 percent biodiesel. During that time there were no mechanical issues or mileage decreases, according to Rothsay. "As biodiesel use has spread across Rothsay, vehicle maintenance programs, reliability and performance have not changed in any measurable way," Paszti said.

In 2001, Rothsay began to run B5 and higher blends at its Montreal biodiesel production facility. Today, roughly five B100 trucks operate out of the Montreal facility, Paszti told Biodiesel Magazine. In 2009, Rothsay expanded its overall biodiesel usage by incorporating biodiesel blends from B5 to B20 at its Dundas and Moorefield, Ontario, rendering plants.

After announcing its fleet accomplishments, Rothsay was also commended by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. "Rothsay's on-road fleet experience is proof of the positive benefits of blending biodiesel in Canada. In everyday use and all weather conditions, Rothsay's biodiesel delivered top performance and, importantly, reduced the harmful greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and smog that is associated with fossil diesel use," said CRFA chair Doug Hooper.

Based on the success of the current biodiesel fleets, Paszti said Rothsay is expanding its biodiesel use at other Maple Leaf Foods plants in Ontario. "The transportation of perishable food products means that our biodiesel must perform flawlessly," Paszti said. "As such, every facility that has adopted the use of our biodiesel has scrutinized our product's performance before making an informed decision to move forward just as any external fleet would have."