More than half of biodiesel produced in Germany comes from rapeseed oil

Germany is the largest producer of biodiesel in Europe. According to the latest figures from the Association of the German Biofuels Industry (VDB), a total of around 3.6 million tonnes of biodiesel were produced in Germany in the 2024 calendar year. This corresponds to an increase of 100,000 tonnes year-on-year.

More than half of the raw material produced comes from rapeseed. In 2024, the share of biodiesel from rapeseed oil was around 53.1%. Waste cooking oils came in second with a share of 24.1%, followed by soybeans with a share of 15%. Animal fats have only been counted as a feedstock for biofuel production in Germany since 2021 and currently account for just 2%. In contrast, palm oil no longer plays a role in biodiesel production, as biodiesel or HVO produced from tropical oil will no longer be counted in the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions quotas from 2023.

The German Association for the Promotion of Oilseed and Grain Cultivation (UFOP) reports that around 1.45 million tonnes of rapeseed oil will be processed into biodiesel in the country in 2024. According to the association’s calculations, this volume of oil roughly corresponds to the 2024 rapeseed harvest. The German biodiesel industry is thus the most important consumer of domestic rapeseed.

The demand for rapeseed oil for fuel production is also ensured by the production of around 2.2 million tonnes of rapeseed meal, which is currently the most important source of non-GMO protein in livestock feed. This symbiosis is a prime example of a networked bioeconomy with market potential, as rapeseed oil and methyl esters may also play a role in the chemical industry in the future.

It was previously reported that global production of biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil will decline this year, as the profitability of the sector has declined significantly. As analysts note, the price gap between the cost of oils will be a key factor that will lead to a reduction in the use and production of biodiesel in many countries.

Tags: biodiesel, Germany, rapeseed oil