Using biomass fuels reduces the amount of waste and assists in the development and growth of agricultural products. This has been triggered by a combination of rapidly rising crude oil prices and national mandates on emission reduction, which have made the production and blending of biofuels commercially viable.

SGS’ Contribution to the Biofuel Industry

SGS has been involved in every aspect of biofuel production since the 1990’s. SGS monitors all aspects of the biofuel supply chain from plant choice for the farmer, through crop assessment, to monitoring the quality of feedstocks, and blending those biofuels into commercially distributed fuels. The SGS staff, both in the field and in the laboratory has examined all aspects of the various processes to make them more efficient and monitor trade volumes through the custody chain.

SGS has the experience and technical expertise to assist the industry with an extensive array of services focused on characterizing the biofuel, improving boiler efficiency, and ensuring compliance with contract specifications and local, regional, or federal regulations. As a partner, SGS can help a Customer increase a sustainable advantage by offering reliable analytical support to characterize biofuels under consideration.


If the intent is to buy or sell wood chips, grains, pellets, particles, sawdust, and fibers SGS can assist with the following services.

• Sampling, verification of quality (species, granulation, moisture content, ash content, dirt)
• Supervision of loading or discharge
• Vessel Hold inspections
• Vessel Draft surveys

SGS’ Testing Services

SGS offers a broad range of analytical services for biofuels and provide accurate, cost effective analysis in accordance with standards such as American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and International Standards Organization (ISO). SGS biofuels testing facilities have a suite of specific tests registered to ISO17025.  Here, SGS qualified technicians operate with state-of-the-art instrumentation and quality control procedures. This allows us to provide customers with complete, accurate and timely analysis.

Biofuel Matrices We Have Tested

Biofuel materials that our laboratories have analyzed in the past include the following.

• Wood
• Wood chips
• Wood pellets
• Rice hulls
• Palm seed briquettes
• Grass
• Corn stovers
• Hog fuel
• Grain mash
• Bio coal
• Sugar cane bagasse
• Vegetable waste

Refuse & Tire Derived Fuels – Proximate, Ultimate and Fusion Testing

SGS can conduct testing for refuse and tire derived analysis that includes the following.

• Moisture
• Ash (Macro sample)
• Volatile matter
• Calorific value (Btu/lb.)
• Carbon (by LECO)
• Hydrogen (by LECO)
• Nitrogen (by LECO)
• Nitrogen (by Kjeldahl)
• Sulfur (total)
• Fusion
• Short Proximate
• Proximate Analysis  
• Ultimate Analysis

Biomass and Paper Fuels – Proximate, Ultimate and Fusion Testing

Tests for biomass and paper fuel analysis include the following.

• Moisture
• Ash (Macro sample)
• Volatile matter
• Calorific value (Btu/lb.)
• Carbon (by LECO)
• Hydrogen (by LECO)
• Nitrogen (by LECO)
• Nitrogen (By Kjeldahl)
• Sulfur (total)
• Fusion
• Short Proximate
• Proximate Analysis  
• Ultimate Analysis

Alternative Fuels – Elemental and Ash Analysis and Miscellaneous Testing

Tests for alternative fuel analysis include the following.

• Ash
• Chlorine
• Fluorine
• Loss on ignition (LOI)
• Trace elements
• Sieve analysis
• Sample preparation

Visual Inspection Before And During Loading /Discharge

The objective of a visual inspection is to provide you with additional reassurance that the biofuels being shipped are the same as those ordered or proposed.  The condition of the biofuel is frequently a decisive parameter in determining its conformity to specification. This is very true for biofuels.  SGS conducts visual cargo inspections at the time of custodial change to ensure the cargo presented for shipment is the same or substantially similar to the cargo proposed. The object of this service is to establish that the cargo is loaded in sound condition and has been properly stowed for safe transport. This ensures the buyer or seller that they are getting maximum value from the biofuels.

Hold Inspection

Hold inspections are part of a larger service that SGS provides to assure that the biofuels shipped will be received in the same condition as when they were loaded. Buyers or sellers can order an SGS visual inspection of the hold prior to loading. This gives both parties the confidence that the cargo will not be contaminated by material already in the hold, or altered in any way by vessel deficiencies. Our inspectors will immediately report any abnormalities to the appropriate authority. Digital photographic documentation is also provided. Certificates of inspection are provided upon completion of the job.

SGS inspectors verify that the hold is ready to receive the intended biofuel cargo. Our inspections provide assurance that hold is clean and free of rust and paint chips that could contaminate the cargo. SGS also verify that the hold is free of the remnants of previous cargos prior to loading. This includes material that may be hidden behind inaccessible areas, hold structures or adhering to walls.

SGS reviews the vessel’s log to evaluate if these remnants could put your biofuel shipment at risk. Special attention is paid to previous cargos containing materials that may react with or damage your biofuels. Seed or grain contamination can have serious consequences due to the quarantine requirements of certain countries. SGS also checks for moisture or signs of previous water infiltration. Whether it is through bilges at the bottom of the hold or the hatch-covers on top, water can damage by reducing the value of biofuel cargos. The presence of water in the hold may be justification for rejection.

Draft Survey

Draft surveys are used to determine the weight of cargo loaded onto, or discharged from, an ocean going vessel. The SGS global network of highly qualified draft surveyors work to a defined draft survey protocol, resulting in accurate cargo weights for the Customer at load and discharge points. Dependable and consistent cargo weights allow the Customer to limit financial risks associated with bulk cargo transactions.

In principle, draft surveys require only a measurement of the water displaced and the surrounding water density. Water displacement is measured through draft marks on the vessel and is then converted to a volume. The weight of displaced water is calculated by multiplying its volume (displacement) by its density. The difference between the weights of water displaced before and after the cargo transfer equals the weight of the biofuel cargo within measurement accuracy limits.

In practice, vessel draft surveys are complicated procedures that require a highly qualified surveyor. Overall accuracy will depend on the surveyor’s skill in dealing with the following.

• The varying density of sea or river water.
• Changes in quantity of ballast between initial and final draft readings.
• Changes in consumables on the vessel between initial and final draft readings (fuel oil, potable water, etc.).
• Allowance for trim, list and deformation corrections (SGS uses data from the vessel’s tables).
• Accuracy of the vessel’s draft tables.
• Condition of the vessel’s draft markings.
• Weather and sea conditions at the time of the surveys (pitch and swell).
• Weight of the cargo loaded when compared to the total capacity of the vessel.
• Weather and day-light.

SGS uses only SGS trained draft surveyors. These personnel follow the approved SGS Standard Operational Procedures for the determination of weight by draft survey. This provides the Customer with trusted cargo weight at ports worldwide. SGS experienced professionals feed the raw data into software which then calculates the weight of the cargo loaded or discharged. This result is reviewed before released to the Customer and the raw data is retained.