URBANDALE, Iowa - Manatt’s, Inc., the construction company behind the building of the new Iowa Speedway near Newton, is setting a renewable fuels trend. All of the company’s construction equipment in the Des Moines metro area is running on B5, B10, or B20, a blend containing 5, 10, or 20 percent biodiesel.

Manatt’s executives are happy to speak about the benefits of biodiesel. “We are really pleased with the performance of our equipment on biodiesel,” says Curt Manatt, general manager of the Des Moines Metro Ready Mix Division. “We haven’t had any fuel-related problems with our equipment since switching to biodiesel. In fact, at first I didn’t even tell our mechanics that I had switched fuel because I wanted to see if they noticed a difference. They didn’t notice at all.”

Manatt’s has been using a biodiesel blend in the metro area for three years. The company started fueling its construction equipment with B2 three years ago and now use B5 and B10, and just recently started using B20. “I was anxious to start using B20 because B5 and B10 worked so well for us. There really is no reason for us not to use biodiesel. Everyone wins when you use biodiesel; it’s grown right here in Iowa, so it’s good for Iowa’s farmers, and with more biodiesel plants going up all the time, it creates more business for construction companies, like Manatt’s, and it’s cheaper to buy than regular diesel fuel, so the consumers win too,” adds Manatt.

Grant Kimberley, market development manager for the Iowa Soybean Association says, “We hope that other companies will follow the trend set by Manatt’s and start using biodiesel.

Continuing their joint effort to promote biodiesel, ISA will sponsor the first race at the new Iowa Speedway, which is being built by Manatt’s. The Soy Biodiesel 250 will kick off the first season of racing at the Newton racetrack on September 15.

“The Iowa Soybean Association is very excited to sponsor the Soy Biodiesel 250, the first race ever at the Iowa Speedway,” says Kimberley. “We believe this race is a great opportunity for us to highlight the benefits of using soy biodiesel, and we are proud of companies like Manatt’s who are helping us demonstrate those advantages.”