Germany has once again emerged as the largest producer of biodiesel in Europe, with production reaching around 3.6 million tonnes in 2024, according to new figures from the Association of the German Biofuels Industry (VDB). This marks an increase of 100,000 tonnes from the previous year, reports Biofuels International.
The report shows that rapeseed oil remained the most widely used ingredient, making up over half (53.1%) of the total biodiesel produced. Industry experts noted that around 1.45 million tonnes of rapeseed oil were processed into biodiesel in 2024—an amount nearly equal to Germany’s total rapeseed harvest for the year.
“This clearly shows that biodiesel continues to play a central role in supporting local farming, especially for rapeseed growers,” said a spokesperson from the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP).
Other major ingredients included used cooking oils and fats, which contributed 24.1%, and soybean oil, which accounted for 15% of production. Animal fats—used in German biofuel production only since 2021—made up about 2% of the total.
Meanwhile, palm oil is no longer used in German biodiesel or fuel production. Since 2023, fuels made from palm oil have not counted towards greenhouse gas reduction goals, prompting its removal from the biodiesel sector.
In addition to fuel, the production of biodiesel from rapeseed also generates a by-product: rapeseed meal, which totaled about 2.2 million tonnes in 2024. This meal has become the most widely used non-GMO protein source for dairy cattle feed in Germany.
“This by-product is just as important as the fuel itself, because it supports our dairy industry with a reliable, home-grown feed option,” said the UFOP spokesperson. Germany’s biodiesel sector continues to link energy production with agriculture, supporting both climate goals and the local economy.
