The Current Scenario of SAF Production in Brazil (2025)

September 15, 2025

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by Jefferson dos Santos Estevo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) continues to expand worldwide. Data from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as of the end of August, indicate that if all 472 announced production plants are effectively implemented, global SAF production would total 53.9 billion liters (bn L). Currently, 172 airports worldwide are supplied with SAF, with 70 routes batch deliveries and 102 routes continuous supply systems. In 2016, there were only 8 production announcements, compared with 109 in 2024 and 58 by the end of August 2025, demonstrating significant progress (ICAO, 2025).

However, SAF’s share in mitigating emissions from the aviation sector remains minimal and is expected to represent only 0.7% of total airline fuel consumption by the end of 2025, equivalent to cerca 2.5 bn L. The main obstacle is the high cost of SAF, which limits its large-scale adoption and keeps production concentrated in a few countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and certain European Union member states. These regions have implemented policies with SAF targets or mandates and relevant economic measures to grant SAF production and use competitive advantages (IATA, 2025).

In Brazil, regulatory progress related to SAF has been substantial in recent years. The National Program for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (ProBioQAV), established in 2023, provides a framework for the development of mandates, incentives, and policies for SAF implementation. The aviation sector accounted for approximately 0.67% of Brazil’s total emissions in 2023 (SEEG, 2024; ANAC, 2025). The key legal instrument is Law No. 14,993, enacted in October 2024, known as the “Future Fuel Law” (CF). This law established a robust regulatory framework, with an initial target of 1% emissions reduction by 2027, increasing progressively from 2029 onwards to reach 10% by 2037, with a growing share of SAF in the aviation fuel mix (Brazil, 2024).

Beyond the targets established under the Future Fuel Law, Brazil must also meet its commitments under CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), starting in 2027, when all participating countries are required to apply emissions reductions. Under CORSIA, emissions from Brazilian airlines must be monitored and compared with the 2019–2020 baseline average. If an operator’s emissions exceed this reference value, the difference must be offset through the purchase of carbon credits or CORSIA-eligible SAF in order to compensate for and reduce emissions from international flights the purchase of carbon credits or CORSIA-eligible SAF, thus compensating and reducing emissions from international flights. CORSIA aims to stabilize emissions at 2020 levels, ensuring carbon-neutral growth for international aviation, although it does not impose SAF-specific mandates .

Therefore, in Brazil, both domestic flights (via the CF Law) and international flights (under CORSIA) are governed by emissions reduction requirements rather than mandatory SAF blending targets. In contrast, the European Union and the United Kingdom have set mandatory SAF use targets of 2% starting in 2025, with a gradual increase until 2050, while the United States targets annual production of 3 billion gallons (11.3 bn L) by 2030. Consequently, it is crucial to determine which SAF production pathways will be used and the corresponding emissions reduction potential. In Brazil, feedstock selection and production pathway are decisive for performance under both CF and CORSIA.

Given Brazil’s potential as the world’s second-largest biofuel producer, the country can develop multiple SAF production pathways. Recent announcements include the HEFA and ATJ pathways, using different feedstocks and leading to distinct life-cycle emissions reduction values. The table below presents the main SAF projects in Brazil as of early 2025.

Table – Main SAF Players and Projects in Brazil (2025)

Regarding BBF’s project, there have been no recent updates; it is expected to start next year in a reforestation area using palm oil as feedstock. However, the company faces difficulties due to financial embargoes imposed as a result of production irregularities in the region ( InfoAmazon, 2025).

For Raízen’s project, a key milestone was the ISCC CORSIA Plus certification for ethanol produced in Piracicaba (SP), meeting international sustainability criteria for aviation fuel (Raízen, 2023). Production is expected to begin only in 2027 due to technological challenges still present in Brazil. At the same time, the company is advancing its plans to produce SAF from second-generation ethanol using sugarcane bagasse, having recently secured BRL 1 billion in financing from BNDES to build a plant in Andradina, São Paulo (BNDES, 2025). Additionally, during a recent Brazilian government mission to China, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with SAFPAC Ltd., based in Hong Kong, for a US$1 billion investment in SAF production, also through second-generation ethanol (Brazil, 2025).

Acelen’s project is located in São Francisco do Conde, Bahia, and involves BRL 12 billion in investments for macaúba cultivation and the construction of a biorefinery with a production capacity of 1 billion liters per year of SAF and HVO, scheduled to begin operations in 2027 . Due to the innovative nature of macaúba cultivation, the project includes partnerships with institutions such as ESALQ/USP for genetic improvement and productivity enhancement. Planting began in 2025, with approximately 200 hectares of macaúba palms already established and plans to expand to 1,500 hectares in the region, with over 800,000 seedlings to supply the nearby biorefinery (Acelen, 2025).

Regarding Energis 8, there is no current information beyond 2024, when the company expressed interest in building a SAF plant in Paulínia, São Paulo, using the ATJ pathway with second-generation ethanol, although there are no signs of construction having started (CNN, 2024).

In the case of BP Bunge, there are also no new updates beyond BP’s 50% acquisition of Bunge in 2024, a major ethanol producer in Brazil with ATJ SAF production potential (Reuters, 2024). Ouroeste mill already holds ISCC CORSIA Plus certification (UOL, 2023). However, reports indicate that BP is reassessing its renewable energy strategy and redirecting investments toward fossil fuel products (Reuters, 2025).

São Martinho holds ISCC CORSIA Plus certification for two plants, in Pradópolis (São Martinho) and Américo Brasiliense (Santa Cruz), both in São Paulo. Despite its strong ethanol production capacity and certification, there are no announcements regarding SAF production (Eixos, 2024).

Similarly, Zilor, which also holds ISCC CORSIA Plus certification for its plants in Macatuba and Lençóis Paulista, has no active or planned SAF projects (Zilor, 2025).

Another certified company is Usina Coruripe, with two units in Minas Gerais (Iturama and Limeira do Oeste).

A company not included in the table or the SAC Report is Adecoagro, with its Angélica plant in Mato Grosso do Sul (DATAGRO, 2024). FS Bioenergia stands out as a differentiated case, as it specializes in corn ethanol production and holds both ISCC and Low LUC Risk certifications, highlighting its use of feedstocks that minimize indirect land-use change emissions (Nova Cana, 2024). Despite all these certifications and technological potential, none of these three companies currently have concrete SAF production in operation.

Beyond Adecoagro, new SAF-related actions are emerging in Brazil that were not covered in the SAC Report. For example, Inpassa, Brazil’s largest corn ethanol producer, has obtained ISCC certification for all its plants in Mato Grosso, Maranhão, and Goiás (Inpassa, 2025). Although production or concrete plans have not yet been disclosed, its potential to produce SAF is substantial given the company’s ethanol output.

Another noteworthy initiative is by Satarem America Inc., a U.S.-based company, which announced a US$425 million investment to build a SAF plant in Maringá, Paraná. Operations are scheduled to begin in December 2028, with ethanol as the initial feedstock. The facility is strategically located on the border between Maringá and Sarandi, an area with a strong concentration of ethanol mills. Part of the production will be exported, including to airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, while another share will meet domestic demand (Eixos, 2025).

Two additional projects are still under study. The first is a partnership between GEO and Copersucar, supported by GIZ (German Cooperation for Sustainable Development), to develop the first commercial-scale plant in Brazil for SAF production from biogas, with operations expected to begin in 2025 and a projected output of 750 liters/day. The project involves investments of €7.8 million, including €1.5 million from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (GEO, 2024).

The second initiative, still in its initial stage, is being led by the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and the Guamá Science and Technology Park (PCT-Guamá), which are conducting a feasibility study for SAF production using Amazon residues such as macaúba oil, açaí seeds, and cocoa husks. The project, in collaboration with H2B Energy Transition, aims to assess the technical and economic viability of using these regional feedstocks for SAF production (Bacarena, 2025).

GIZ is also involved in two more advanced SAF projects. The first is with the SENAI Institute, which inaugurated the Hydrogen and Advanced Fuels Laboratory (H2CA) at the Innovation and Technology Hub (HIT) in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. This pilot plant uses glycerin, a by-product of the biodiesel industry, to produce SAF via the Fischer–Tropsch pathway, with an investment of €1.4 million (GIZ, 2023).

The second is located in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, in collaboration with Itaipu Binacional and the International Center for Renewable Energy (CIBiogás), where the first national pilot plant for producing synthetic oil from biogas was inaugurated, with the aim of producing SAF through Fischer–Tropsch technology. The project received €1.8 million in investment ( Martins, 2025).

In terms of the country’s most advanced SAF production, Petrobras stands out as the leading player. Through co-processing, the company has started producing SAF with up to 1.2% corn oil blended into conventional jet fuel (QAV) at its Reduc (Duque de Caxias), Regap (Betim), and Replan (Paulínia) refineries, with a capacity of up to 600,000 L/year.

In addition, Petrobras plans to expand this production to the Revap refinery (São José dos Campos) in the coming months. According to the most recent information, Reduc will be able to supply SAF via co-processing in the coming months, ahead of initial plans, using a blend of jet fuel with 1.2% corn oil (Petrobras, 2025; MME, 2025).

In parallel, the company is investing in dedicated renewable SAF production units, separate from co-processing. A project under development at the Paulínia refinery (Replan) aims to produce SAF from ethanol using Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology. This plant is designed for a production capacity of 572,400 L/year, with operations scheduled to start after 2029.

Moreover, Petrobras is planning the construction of a unit at the Boaventura Energy Complex in Itaboraí (RJ), with a capacity of up to 1.087 billion L/year of SAF and renewable diesel, using vegetable oils and animal fats as feedstocks.

Additionally, at the Presidente Bernardes Refinery (RPBC) in Cubatão, São Paulo, the company is developing a project under its BioRefining Program to process approximately 950,000 tons of vegetable oils and animal fats annually, with the capacity to produce up to 915,800 L/year of renewable biofuels. The unit will employ Honeywell UOP-licensed HEFA technology, enabling the conversion of vegetable oils and tallow into SAF and renewable diesel (Petrobras, 2025; MME, 2025; Tolmasquim, 2025).

Within a few years, once all these projects are operational, Petrobras’ SAF and renewable diesel production could reach approximately 2.58 billion L/year, in addition to the current 600,000 L/year from co-processing. This positions Petrobras as the national company with the most advanced initiatives and highest SAF production, significantly contributing to Brazil’s emissions reduction targets.

From a practical standpoint, co-processing offers a key advantage for meeting near-term targets, as it allows for rapid implementation by leveraging existing infrastructure. However, due to the relatively low blending rates (5%–10%), it delivers moderate emission reductions. Given that most major projects are still in the early stages or at the projection phase, Petrobras’ co-processing strategy may represent the most feasible alternative for achieving Brazil’s national targets in the short term.

* Jefferson dos Santos Estevo is a researcher in International Relations and Energy Transition at the Center of Excellence in Hydrogen and Sustainable Energy Technologies (CEHTES) at the Federal University of Goiás. FAPEG Research Fellow. He holds a doctorate in Social Sciences from the University of Campinas.

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vegetable oils United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) UK (United Kingdom) Transportation Fuels Policy Sustainability sugarcane Renewable Diesel/Green Diesel/HVO/Paraffinic Diesel reforestation precursors/biointermediates palm oil oil refineries macauba Jetfuel (Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)) Investing International Sustainability and Carbon Certification model(ISCC) ILUC (Indirect/Induced Land Use Change) Hong Kong HEFA (Hydro-processed esters and fatty acids) glycerin Germany Fischer-Tropsch/FT Financing European Union (EU) ethanol/bioethanol environmental policy CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) corn/maize corn ethanol cocoa husks co-products co-processing certification carbon offsets carbon credit markets carbon credit Brazil BioRefineries/Renewable Fuel Production Biogas bagasse Aviation Fuel/Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) aviation fuel (SAF) production aviation fuel (SAF) mandates animal fat alcohol-to-jet (ATJ)/ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) airports acai seeds 2nd generation biofuels

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