Known as the greatest breakthrough in the Oils and fats industry, there several production processes available. The 2 most common ones are the processes defined by Andretti (Italy), Connemann (Germany), Campa (Germany), while many others are mainly derived from these 3 base processes.

However, the production of biodiesel can be defined commonly as Transesteritication, where feedstocks like vegetable oils and animal fats are converted into esters, in the presence of an alcohol (ethanol ot methanol).

During the Transesterification process, the bonds of triglycerides (three hydrocarbon chains connected by glycerol) are broken down to form free fatty acids. These fatty acids are then reacting with methanol or ethanol forming methyl or ethyl fatty acid esters respectively. The biodiesel is refined and distilled to be used as a fuel in a diesel engine while the by-product, crude glycerine, is used for oleochemical applications or further refined for use in pharmaceutical industry.