Experts highlight Brazil’s potential for agroforestry and biobunker production.

The Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA) held, on Wednesday (8), the 4th edition of Agroenergy – Sustainable Energy Transition, with the support of Embrapa Agroenergy. This year's edition discussed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and biobunker (sustainable marine fuel), considered strategic for the decarbonization of the air and maritime sectors. The Vice President of Trading at Inpasa, Gustavo Mariano, opened the program with a lecture on the “Strategic Context of SAF and Biobunker”. During the presentation, Gustavo stated that Brazil is a world reference in energy transition and highlighted that agriculture will be the basis for the transformation of different transport modes. “Grains, oil, ethanol and biodiesel are gaining new applications in the production of SAF and biobunker, and the expansion of the use of renewable fuels further strengthens the strategic role of Brazilian agriculture.” Mariano also highlighted that the approval of the Future Fuel Law inaugurated the regulatory demand for SAF in the country. “We will start with a 1% SAF blend in aviation fuels and reach 10% by 2037. Brazil has a unique competitive advantage because it brings together practically all SAF production routes. The central challenge now is to scale production and reduce costs to ensure competitiveness.” In his speech, he also warned of the need for Brazil to actively participate in international discussions on sustainability criteria. “We cannot allow international regulations to exclude Brazil with criteria that are neither technical nor rational. Our job is to demonstrate that the country is capable of promoting effective decarbonization.” Panels: The first panel of the day addressed the theme “Market, demand and opportunities for Brazilian agribusiness”. The discussion was moderated by the head of Embrapa Agroenergia, Bruno Laviola, and included the head of Biorefining at the Riograndense Refinery, Flávio Mingorance; The panel included Janaína Lemes, Biofuels Manager at Caramuru Alimentos; and Glaucia Souza, Professor at the University of São Paulo (USP). Bruno Laviola highlighted that SAF (Sustainable Agricultural Production) and biobunkers represent more than just new biofuels and should be seen as an opportunity to add value to the raw materials produced by Brazilian agriculture. Flávio Mingorance stated that Brazil has the potential to meet the growing global demand for renewable fuels. According to him, by 2030, the main markets will be the United States and Europe. After that, demand will expand to other regions, particularly Asia and Australia. Janaína Lemes believes that the consolidation of ethanol as a global platform for SAF production depends on coordinated action between the government, entities, associations, and other links in the production chain. Professor Glaucia Souza emphasized that biofuels will continue to play a central role in the decarbonization of transportation, especially in emerging countries. The second panel discussed “Public policies, regulation and certification” and was moderated by the CNA's deputy technical director, Maciel Silva. Participants in the discussion included federal deputy Arnaldo Jardim; the Program Director of the National Secretariat of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Marlon Arraes; the advisor to the Coordinating Committee for International Maritime Organization (IMO) Affairs, Flávio Mathuiy; and the president of Airbus Brazil, Gilberto Peralta. When addressing public instruments aimed at expanding the production and consumption of biofuels, Arnaldo Jardim cited initiatives such as the Fuel of the Future, the carbon market, the Mover Program, and the New Industry Brazil. According to him, the country already has a regulatory framework capable of driving decarbonization. Marlon Arraes stated that the regulation of SAF (Sustainable Aerospace Fuel) is in an advanced stage, with the publication of the decree and the advancement of regulations by ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency) and ANP (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) expected, while sustainable fuel for navigation is also evolving with recommendations prepared by a technical group. Flávio Mathuiy explained that the regulation by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) should boost global demand for sustainable fuels for navigation, creating a strategic opportunity for Brazil to expand its participation as a producer and exporter of biofuels. In closing the panel, Gilberto Peralta stated that, from a technical point of view, aviation is already prepared to use SAF, since the technology and specifications for the fuel are already consolidated. "What is needed now is to unlock investments and accelerate production." 

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.