Japan to embark on biodiesel study

Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy will investigate the impact of blending more than 5% biodiesel on fuel quality and vehicle technology in fiscal 2007. Specifically, the investigation will cover the fuel mixtures’ properties, stability, emissions and low-temperature stability, and the durability of after-treatment devices. The agency will request a budget of ¥270 million (US$2.30 million) from the Japanese government and will commission Japans Petroleum Energy Center to jointly conduct the study with the oil and automobile industries. Japan’s amended Quality Assurance Act, which will take effect at the end of March, allows blends of up to 5% by mass only of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in diesel fuel. (March 15, 2007)