Everyone likes free stuff. 
 

 That's why I know you'll appreciate the complimentary wall map packaged with this month's issue of Biodiesel Magazine. The 2005 U.S. & Canada Biodiesel Plant Map, both attractive and functional, represents one of the most comprehensive biodiesel plant lists ever published. The map accurately represents all existing, expanding and under construction biodiesel plants throughout the United States and Canada. 
 Associate Editor Dave Nilles spearheaded the project, and with the help of others, contacted every known biodiesel producer and future biodiesel producer across two nations-coast to coast, from Texas to Quebec.
 
 The fruit of their labor is eye-opening. 
 
 According to the data Biodiesel Magazine collected, existing producers (the United States and Canada combined) have a collective production capacity of 316.6 mmgy-that's about a dozen times greater than what was actually produced in 2004. Guess what? There's another 282 mmgy under construction, and an additional 35.5 mmgy coming on line as a result of current plant expansions. All told, that's nearly 635 mmgy of total production capacity. 
 
 Don't overreact. In the biodiesel business, one must quickly learn to distinguish capacity with actual production, or even intended production. Capacity represents just that: a facility's full potential to produce biodiesel. But to use a homespun sports metaphor, not every player dressed for the big game actually plays. Some can't. Others don't want to. The biodiesel industry is no different. 
 
 I should also tell you that our map doesn't represent proposed biodiesel plants-only those that already exist or those that were scheduled for construction by Oct. 15. Also, in order to make the map manageable-for editors and readers alike-we included only facilities and projects with production capacities of 1 mmgy or greater. In fact, in the course of compiling data for the map, our writers called hundreds of people, each with an equally interesting, but almost always unique, plan to produce biodiesel. Their reasons for wanting to produce biodiesel are as varied as the feedstocks they plan to make it with. And at the end of the day, we understand that it's quality, not quantity, that really counts. 
 
 To everyone who offered us information about their facility or project over the last few months, thank you.
 
 
 Tom Bryan
 Editorial Director

 tbryan@bbibiofuels.com

Editor's Note

Upcoming Events

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo

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Upcoming Events

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo

Editor's Note