Perdue Farms, in collaboration with the Maryland Soybean Board and Optimus Technologies, announced the deployment of six Volvo trucks powered by 100% biodiesel (B100) to transport fresh chicken. The renewable fuel powering these trucks is made from American-grown soybeans, including soybeans sourced from within Perdue Farms' farmer network, creating a direct connection between American agriculture, renewable fuel and food transportation.
This deployment represents the first known use of B100-fueled trucks in the U.S. livestock sector and demonstrates how collaboration across farmers, food production and transportation technology can explore practical, scalable sustainability solutions.
"These trucks directly connect the work of our independent family farmers to lower-emission transportation," said Ben Hildebrand, director of environmental sustainability at Perdue Farms. "It's one example of how we're exploring practical ways to reduce our environmental impact while continuing to deliver fresh, high-quality food. It also reflects the important role agriculture can play in helping advance practical sustainability solutions."
Perdue Farms, in collaboration with the Maryland Soybean Board and Optimus Technologies, announced the deployment of six Volvo trucks powered by 100% biodiesel (B100) to transport fresh chicken. The renewable fuel powering these trucks is made from American-grown soybeans, including soybeans sourced from within Perdue Farms' farmer network, creating a direct connection between American agriculture, renewable fuel and food transportation.
This deployment represents the first known use of B100-fueled trucks in the U.S. livestock sector and demonstrates how collaboration across farmers, food production and transportation technology can explore practical, scalable sustainability solutions.
"These trucks directly connect the work of our independent family farmers to lower-emission transportation," said Ben Hildebrand, director of environmental sustainability at Perdue Farms. "It's one example of how we're exploring practical ways to reduce our environmental impact while continuing to deliver fresh, high-quality food. It also reflects the important role agriculture can play in helping advance practical sustainability solutions."
According to analyses from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), B100 biodiesel can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared with conventional diesel, while also delivering air-quality and safety benefits, including lower particulate matter emissions and a cleaner, non-toxic combustion profile. Derived from renewable resources, biodiesel also supports energy diversification and agricultural economies.
This deployment is enabled by Optimus Technologies' Vector System, which allows the trucks to operate on B100, and is supported through collaboration with the Maryland Soybean Board.
"For Maryland soybean farmers, this project shows how locally grown crops can play a direct role in real-world transportation and sustainability solutions," said Eddie Boyle, chair of the Maryland Soybean Board. "It creates new demand for soybeans while supporting cleaner transportation and stronger connections between farmers and the food system."
"This collaboration shows the important role renewable fuel technologies play in helping fleets reduce emissions today," said Colin Huwyler, CEO of Optimus Technologies. "Deploying B100 in livestock transportation highlights how proven technology can help reduce emissions in traditionally hard-to-decarbonize sectors where reliability and uptime are critical."
Looking ahead, Perdue and its partners will evaluate performance and emissions outcomes from this initial deployment. Insights from these trucks may inform future opportunities to add additional units and expand renewable fuel solutions across additional routes and vehicles as part of Perdue's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.
About Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned U.S. food and agriculture company. Through its belief in responsible food and agriculture, it is empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services. Perdue Foods consists of a premium protein portfolio, including its flagship Perdue brand, Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural, Pasturebird and Yummy, as well as its pet brands, Full Moon and Spot Farms, and is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores and its direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com. Perdue AgriBusiness is a leading merchandiser, processor and exporter of agricultural products and the largest U.S. manufacturer of specialty, organic and non-GMO oils. It also ranks as one of the largest suppliers of organic feed ingredients in the world. Now in its company's second century, it never uses drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and is actively advancing its animal welfare programs. Its brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever and in USDA-certified organic proteins.
About the Maryland Soybean Board
Maryland farmers grow nearly 500,000 acres of soybeans each year, producing more than 20 million bushels annually. Valued at nearly $200 million to the state's economy, soybeans rank among Maryland's top crops and play an important role in supporting the state's broader agricultural sector. The Maryland Soybean Board administers the soybean checkoff program in the state, investing in research, education and market development to strengthen opportunities for Maryland soybean farmers.
About Optimus Technologies
Optimus Technologies provides advanced fuel system technology that enables heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on 100% biodiesel (B100), delivering immediate, scalable and cost-effective fleet and supply chain decarbonization. Deployable on both new trucks during manufacturing and existing fleet vehicles in as little as 24 hours, Optimus' technology integrates seamlessly into fleet operations without compromising vehicle performance, uptime or range. Its fuel system solutions are deployed across all major heavy-duty OEM platforms, helping fleets reduce operating costs and emissions while supporting domestically produced, American-made biodiesel.
