Cummins is able to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which limited the use to B5 blends only, up to B20 for three key reasons. First, the American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 now includes an important stability specification for B100 biodiesel; second, the availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers is growing rapidly; and third, Cummins has completed the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure that customers can reliably operate their equipment with confidence using B20 fuel.
“We have completed an exhaustive analysis and test evaluation which enables Cummins to provide necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in many of our engines,” said Edward Lyford-Pike, Chief Engineer of Alternative Fuel Programs - Cummins. “This will enable many of our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel purchase decisions.”
The popularity and use of biodiesel fuel continues to climb. Recent studies predict that by 2008 1.2 billion gallons of B100 biodiesel will be produced in the United States. Cummins efforts are ongoing with testing to ensure that future products, as well as other industrial engines such as its A Series, B3.3, QSB3.3 and high-horsepower engines, will be compatible with biodiesel fuels. Cummins will continue to participate in industry efforts aimed at the development of consistent quality throughout the biodiesel industry.
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, (USA), Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries through its network of 550 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and more than 5,000 dealer locations. Cummins reported net income of $715 million on sales of $11.4 billion in 2006.