Rapeseed

The rapeseed plant is the authoritative resource for BIO-ÖLWERK Magdeburg GmbH. Their oil is used for the production of biodiesel as a biofuel.

But the extraction of rapeseed oil isn't the only deciding factor, because the rapeseed cake owns the main share (two thirds) of the rapeseed. Glycerine, a byproduct of biodiesel production, can also be used for further refinings.

The rapeseed plant is a crop and a member of the cabbage family. The economic importance of this plant has grown steadily, especially in the past few decades.
The seeds are sown in the fall and harvesting in the following early summer. The sowing date of rapeseed is sought in the second half of August in Germany and a sowing is possible until the first week of September. The most cultivated variety in Germany is 00-rapeseed, which is suitable for use in the food sector, as well as a renewable resource.

Since around the millennium, rapeseed has grown to an important source of bioenergy. Rapeseed oil is mainly used for vegetable oil fuel and biodiesel. In addition, the oil is used as fuel in combined heat and power plants (CHP) and as fuel in oil heaters. The rapeseed cake is currently almost used exclusivly in animal feeding. The combustion or use as a substrate in biogas plants for heat and electricity is possible as well.

Rapseed cultures are also of great significance for apiaries, because rapeseed blossoms are, especially in Germany, one of the most important sources of nectar for honeybees.