What are the benefits of biodiesel?

The benefits of biodiesel are numerous. It has physico-chemical properties very similar to those of fossil fuels, with two major environmental advantages: it is renewable and less polluting. For example, B100 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% and fine particulate emissions by up to 80%. It is also easy to use, as it does not require significant engine modifications.

Biodiesel production plays a key role in both energy and food sovereignty. Thanks to the vegetable oils and proteins sector, France meets 100% of its citizens’ needs for edible oils and more than 50% of livestock protein requirements (compared to around 30% on average in the rest of Europe).

For rapeseed, for example, its processing simultaneously produces oil and proteins (meal) for livestock. Thus, 71% of the seed is used for food, and only 29% for non-food outlets such as biodiesel.

Finally, French biodiesel production plays an important role for agriculture. In 2025, 1,350,000 hectares of rapeseed are cultivated in France. Biodiesel provides a stable outlet for these crops and allows farmers to have more diversified income streams. Without this outlet, the economic balance of French agriculture and the vitality of rural areas could be weakened.