| Summary: | Biodiesel is well known in developed countries as an alternative fuel, mainly for the transport and agriculture sectors. The physiochemical properties of biodiesel are similar to petroleum diesel but it is a cleaner-burning alternative. Biodiesel has the potential to substitute fossil fuels as an alternative source of energy because of its environmentally friendly and replenishable characteristics. Despite the many benefits biodiesel has to offer, it is uneconomical to manufacture on an industrial scale because of the high cost of feedstock required. Consequently, catalysts should be introduced in order to increase the overall rate of biodiesel production and reduce capital costs. This chapter therefore illustrates the latest breakthroughs involved in the use of biomass-derived catalysts. In addition, an amalgam of experimental data obtained from similar literature has been thoroughly reviewed in order to provide a better framework and methods to synthesize biomass-based catalysts for biodiesel production. This is to provide a solution to the catalyst separation problem in the current biodiesel field and to enhance the economic viability of the industry, thus, sustaining the environment while meeting energy demands. © 2021 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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