BIODIESEL AS A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO FOSSIL DIESEL: FEEDSTOCKS, PRODUCTION PROCESSES, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND PROSPECTS FOR MEXICO

Abstract

Biodiesel, monoalkyl esters of fatty acids, is a renewable and biodegradable alternative to fossil diesel, compatible with existing infrastructure in Mexico. This review synthesizes advances from 2018–2025 in feedstocks (first to fourth generation), production processes, physicochemical characterization, life-cycle assessment (LCA), and national prospects. Emphasis is placed on non-food sources: used cooking oils (UCO), slaughterhouse animal fats, Jatropha curcas on marginal lands, and microalgae in wastewater, achieving up to 92 % GHG reductions without indirect land-use change (ILUC). Mexico currently produces over 1.2 million liters daily, mainly from palm and soybean, but has untapped potential in urban and industrial waste exceeding 500 million liters annually. Main challenges include production costs, oxidative stability, and lack of mandatory blending mandates. It is concluded that accelerated implementation of advanced biodiesel (second and third generation), supported by the Biofuels Law 2025 and the 2024-2030 Bioenergy Promotion Program, can significantly reduce diesel imports, create rural jobs, and contribute to national emission reduction commitments by 2030.