Abstract:The significance of producing biodiesel from animal and vegetable oil to the sustainable economy was stressed. The properties and standard as well as research advances and application of biodiesel in the world were introduced, and the methods for production of biodiesel by transesterification including homogeneous chemical catalysts, heterogeneous chemical catalysts, biocatalyst reaction and supercritical technology were reviewed. Moreover, the future prospects of biodiesel in China were pointed out.