Breathing Easier Thanks to Biodiesel and U.S. Soy - Seite 2

His message resonates. In the United States, New York City requires all city fleet vehicles and equipment to use biodiesel. Other cities, like Chicago, New Orleans and Washington, D.C., also use biodiesel fuel in city buses and vehicles, and the state of California has a plan to switch entirely to biodiesel by 2030. Soybean oil, crushed and extracted from soybeans, accounts for nearly 45% of the feedstocks being used to produce biodiesel in United States.⁴

In using biodiesel, Benish Jr. is part of a global effort to improve air quality. The European Union leads the world in biodiesel production and use, with France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Italy accounting for about two-thirds of the market.⁵ Indonesia has the world's highest transport fuel blending mandate, requiring a minimum 35% biodiesel or renewable diesel blend, while China is beginning to unlock the potential of used cooking oil as a fuel feedstock.⁶ Soybean oil accounts for a notable portion of cooking oil in China and many other countries.

Accessing Health Benefits

"The fuel is extremely reliable, but at the heart of our commitment to biodiesel is that it is better for the children," Benish Jr. says. "We transport up to 150,000 students every morning and afternoon, including many special needs kids, and breathing issues and asthma are common. Biodiesel reduces harmful exposure."

He adds that this was even more noticeable and impactful in the early 2000s, before diesel technology became dramatically cleaner.

According to a recent study on the health benefits of biodiesel, using pure biodiesel, or B100, could reduce pollution significantly. The research projected the benefits of using 100% biodiesel in legacy heavy-duty transportation, meaning vehicles without updated diesel technology, residential heating - two of the most difficult fuel uses to decarbonize - in 28 communities considered among the most polluted in the United States.⁷

The health benefits identified by the study include:

• Reduced cancer risk.
• Reduced asthma cases.
• Fewer premature deaths.
• Fewer sick days.

Building on U.S. Soy Success

Under Benish Jr.'s leadership, Cook-Illinois Corporation was the first company in the state of Illinois to switch an entire bus fleet to blends up to 20% biodiesel, or B20. He found biodiesel noticeably better for the engines, which show reduced wear and tear due to the fuel's enhanced lubricity.

Success with biodiesel across his bus fleets laid the foundation for Benish Jr. to evaluate other products made with U.S. Soy, such as tires made by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He even wears a pair of Skechers shoes with a tread made from the same high-performing soy-biobased technology that Goodyear uses in tires.