Get ready—major cutting-edge engine testing and research are reshaping what’s possible for use of higher blends of biodiesel. This session explores the latest advancements paving the way for the next generation of diesel engines and their impact on fuel specifications. We'll also unpack ASTM streamlining efforts to make standards more manageable for fuel users and regulators, including changes planned to accommodate higher biodiesel blends—up to B100—as finished fuels in diesel engines and home heating oil, and what it means for the marketplace.
Speakers:
Robert McCormick
Senior Research Fellow
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Bob McCormick is a senior research fellow and platform leader for NREL’s low-net carbon fuels and combustion research. His work focuses on end-use issues and fuel-engine interactions with alternative fuels, primarily biofuels—including ethanol, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel as well as next generation and futuristic fuels. McCormick is a Fellow of SAE International. He received the Eye on Biodiesel Innovation Award in 2006 and the American Chemical Society’s Henry H. Storch Award in Energy Chemistry in 2022.
Ted Olszewski
Compliance Engineer
RW Beckett
Steve Howell
Founding Partner
M4 Consulting
Steve Howell is a founding partner of MARC-IV Consulting (M4), where his unmatched technical leadership and fuel industry knowledge have made him a trusted voice in biodiesel and renewable fuel development for over 30 years. Since co-founding M4 in 1993, Steve has played a pivotal role in transforming biodiesel from a niche alternative into a mainstream, reliable component of today’s clean energy solutions.
Steve has chaired the ASTM Biodiesel Standards Task Force since 1994, playing a central role in shaping the specifications that ensure biodiesel quality and compatibility across fuel systems. His leadership has been critical in achieving EPA Tier 1 and Tier 2 approvals, UL and OEM support, and in developing ASTM standards for both B100 and biodiesel blends used in diesel engines and heating oil.
He was the first chair of the BQ-9000 fuel quality program and served as Technical Director for the National Biodiesel Board (now Clean Fuels Alliance America), where he continues today as Senior Technical Advisor, focusing on fuel quality, regulatory strategy, and carbon-related initiatives. Steve is thus far the only professional to receive the honor of Fellow from both ASTM International and the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS)—recognizing a lifetime of impact.
A chemical engineering graduate of Iowa State University, Steve brings deep technical credibility and a passion for quality to every project.
Moderator:
Brian Pierce
SVP, Strategy Operations & Industrial Innovation
United Soybean Board
Brian Pierce leads the United Soybean Board’s efforts to expand new markets for U.S. soy through new product innovation. He oversees USB’s investments in renewable fuels and other industrial applications, helping create new demand channels and greater value for America’s soybean farmers.
Brian has over 18 years of experience in new product development across global food and agriculture industries, with a focus on turning emerging technologies and farmer-led innovation into practical, market-ready solutions.