Fuel

Growing Demand in Biofuel

The demand for biofuels is growing, and soy meets that need. Across transportation, shipping, and home heating, soy-based fuels are delivering environmental, economic, and public health benefits that go beyond what traditional fuels can offer.
Truck positioned at an industrial loading facility, with overhead piping and transfer equipment connected for fuel or liquid transport.

The Checkoff's Priorities in the Biofuel Market

Soybean oil is gaining ground as a preferred biofuel feedstock. Through research, promotion, education, and strategic partnerships, the checkoff works across every stage of that market to turn farmer investment into lasting demand
Person in protective workwear holding a beaker of soybean oil for inspection, with an industrial or laboratory setting in the background.

Accurate Carbon Data

Aligning Carbon Scores With Soy's Actual Footprint

Soybean oil's carbon footprint is among the lowest of any biofuel feedstock*, but current lifecycle models don't always reflect that. The checkoff and its partners are investing in lifecycle research so carbon intensity scores show what soy actually delivers.

Domestic Production & Use

Turning Crush Capacity into Fuel

More than 20 new soybean processing plants or expansions are underway across the country. Checkoff investments in engine testing, standards approvals, and supply chains ensure that added capacity reaches the market as a biofuel.

Building Market Confidence

Giving Fuel Producers Reasons to Choose Soy

Fuel producers choose feedstocks based on carbon scores, supply reliability, and sustainability credentials. Checkoff investment in lifecycle data, certification tools, and market outreach strengthens soy's position on all three.

Renewable Fuel Demand

Taking Soy-Based Fuel Beyond the Highway

Soy-based fuel started on the highway. The checkoff and its partners are expanding adoption into railroads, maritime, and home heating, working with fleets and equipment manufacturers to open new channels.

Building the Case for Soy in Biofuel

Soy-based biofuels can replace petroleum across transportation, shipping, and home heating—and the environmental, economic, and public health returns are reshaping what it means to grow soybeans in the U.S.

Protecting the Market Soybean Farmers Depend On

Demand for soybean oil in renewable fuel has grown significantly. The checkoff works to sustain that momentum as market conditions evolve.
Explore the Issue Brief

Biofuel Demand Can Shift

Federal and state blending requirements and tax incentives determine how much soy-based fuel the market needs. When those requirements change, demand for soybean oil can shift with them.

Outdated Data Can Undervalue Soy

Carbon intensity scores determine which feedstocks qualify for incentives and market access. Modernizing soy's carbon intensity data creates an opportunity to ensure its performance is accurately recognized as a sustainable feedstock.

Competitor Feedstocks Are Entering the Market

Refineries choose feedstocks based on price, availability, and carbon scores, and soybean oil is one option among a growing set. That competition can influence soy’s position in the biofuels market.

Approval Doesn’t Guarantee Adoption

Most major engine manufacturers support biodiesel blends of 20% or higher, but until those blends are widely adopted, soybean oil demand has room to grow.
Industrial facility with large metal pipes, ducts, and processing equipment extending through an interior production area.

Commitment to the Biofuel Market

The checkoff helped build the biodiesel industry, creating an entirely new category from the ground up. Through research, promotion, education, and strategic partnerships, it continues to expand soy's position as a preferred feedstock.

How Soy Shows Up in Clean Energy

Soybean oil is the feedstock behind distinct clean fuel types, each serving a different market and creating its own source of demand for farmers.
Freight train on railway tracks representing soy biodiesel adoption across Class 1 railroads.

Rail

Soy is a renewable component in biodiesel blends used by rail systems across the U.S. The Soy Checkoff℠ helped expand the market and strengthen demand for soy-based fuel.
Commercial semi-trucks on a highway using soy-based renewable diesel as a drop-in fuel.

Trucking

Soy-based biodiesel and renewable diesel are drop-in fuels that work with existing engines and infrastructure. Checkoff investments helped establish the market and grow adoption across commercial trucking fleets, creating additional demand for soy.
Home heating oil furnace representing Bioheat® fuel made with soybean oil.

Bioheat Fuel

Bioheat® fuel blends biodiesel with ultra-low sulfur heating oil to provide a cleaner-burning home heating option. The Soy Checkoff helped establish and grow this market, increasing demand for soy-based fuels in homes across the Northeast.
Cargo ship at sea using soy-based biodiesel fuel in maritime transportation.

Marine

Soy-based biodiesel helps power the future of shipping. The Soy Checkoff helped grow acceptance of soy as a reliable feedstock for marine transportation.

The Latest News in Biofuel

See the latest news on how checkoff investment is opening new opportunities for soy across the biofuel market.

35th anniversary Soy Checkoff logo
Press Release

35 years of farmers investing together

Press Release

Bioheat builds in Boston

Press Release

The new American engine: U.S. Soy fuels clean energy, biobased products and farm resilience

Press Release

United Soybean Board Farmer-Leaders Greenlight Forward-Thinking FY25 Budget

How the Checkoff Pays Off

Checkoff investment is built to return value to U.S. soybean farmers. See what it has produced.

Explore Checkoff Results