Vegetable oil-based diesel can be made from soybeans (above), rapeseed or palms. Ethanol can be made from corn and is used as an alternative to gasoline.
The International Energy Agency said in July that supplies of biodiesel soared 80 percent in 2005, outpacing a 14 percent increase in the production of ethanol.
A Standard Chartered Bank report says China will import 8.5 million tons of vegetable oils this year