ADM Trucking, Loyola University join expanded B20 Club

ADM Trucking powers its Decatur-based fleet of nearly 150 tractor-trailers on biodiesel blends up to B20. (Photo: Illinois Soybean Association)

The B20 Club has expanded its membership with two additional organizations that support B20 biodiesel as a readily available, low-carbon fuel solution for Illinois communities.

The new B20 Club fleet members are ADM and Loyola University Chicago Searle Biodiesel Lab.

Founded in 2014, the B20 Club is a partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association and American Lung Association.

“These new B20 Club member organizations are established leaders in development and use of biodiesel to promote a more sustainable future,” said David Kubik, ISA biofuels and trade-policy manager. “We look forward to partnering with them to continue to expand the use of higher biodiesel blends in Illinois and beyond.”

ADM

ADM is a global leader in purchasing, processing and transporting agricultural products, as well as being a leading producer of biofuels.

Three ADM biodiesel manufacturing plants in the U.S. supply BQ-9000-quality biodiesel to a wide range of on-road, off-road, marine, rail and retail customers.

ADM also uses biodiesel blends up to B20 to fuel a portion of its 550 Class 8 over-the-road trucks that transport grain and ingredients across the Midwest.

ADM subsidiary ARTCo also fuels 29 marine vessels operating on the Mississippi River system with blends up to B30.

“As a producer and user of biofuels, ADM is thrilled to partner with the B20 Club,” said Brandon Rick, fleet and sustainability manager for ADM Trucking. “It’s a great opportunity to build relationships and collaborate with like-minded individuals who are moving in the same direction to reduce carbon emissions.”

Loyola University

The Searle Biodiesel Lab at Loyola University’s Lake Shore campus converts used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel in an effort to reduce waste, conserve resources and combat climate change.

The program utilizes recycled cooking oil from campus food-service facilities as well as other Chicago-area universities, student and faculty donations, businesses and institutions.

The lab processes the recycled oil into ultra-low carbon biodiesel fuel to power Loyola’s intercampus shuttle buses.

With recently installed technology, the shuttles are now equipped to run on 100 percent biodiesel, or B100, which significantly reduces tailpipe emissions.

“There are vast opportunities for biodiesel to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles like buses, garbage trucks, snowplows and 18-wheelers,” said Zach Waickman, senior program manager for the Loyola University School of Environmental Sustainability, where the Searle Biodiesel Lab is located. “We’re excited to collaborate with stakeholders to promote the use of biodiesel as a drop-in solution through our membership in the B20 Club.”

Other B20 Club members

The two new B20 Club members join municipalities, utilities, trucking companies, marine fleets, fuel suppliers and other organizations involved in the B20 Club since 2014.

For more information about biodiesel and the B20 Club, visit B20Club.org.