Vibra Energia is the Brazilian fuel distributor that wants to move into the production and sale of sustainable aviation palm oil-based.
It has extended its partnership with Brasil Biofuels (BBF), the biofuel producer.
Vibra-also known as Petrobras Distribuidora-has agreed to sell the SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) produced at BBF’s Manaus biorefinery.
An additional $43 million will be invested in the venture, and as a raw material it will use palm oil from the Amazon region of Brazil’s northernmost state, Roraima.
BBF said the new venture would be based in the city of São João da Baliza, given its tropical rainforest climate, and the palm oil would be processed into fuel at BBF’s plant in Manaus, in the neighboring state of Amazonas.
The plant would have a capacity of 250 million liters per year of “green diesel” and 280 million liters per year of SAF, and is expected to be operational in three years.
Vibra CEO Wilson Ferreira Junior said the move is in line with the company’s strategy to increase its renewable energy portfolio.
The portfolio will include renewable energy generation, biomethane, renewable diesel, ethanol and SAF.
The partnership between Vibra and BBF will last five years and can be renewed, BBF said.
Sustainable aviation fuel has experienced a significant growth rate over the past seven years.
Why Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) palm oil-based is important?
The motivation is clear: to reduce the environmental impact that common fuels have on the planet.
SAF also recycles CO2 emissions, thereby improving local air quality and reducing harmful emissions by 27 percent.
It avoids direct and indirect land use change (e.g. tropical deforestation) and has a positive socio-economic impacts.
To achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050, steps must be taken now, and sustainable aviation is one of the most efficient solutions.