Grupo BBF (Brasil BioFuels) is betting on palm oil - also known as dendê oil, used in Bahian cuisine - as the main raw material for producing biofuels to replace fossil diesel.
The focus is on the production of green diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The group is investing R$2.2 billion in a biorefinery to produce both fuels in Manaus. Operations are expected to begin in 2026.
The jet fuel produced from palm oil will be supplied to Vibra Energia (formerly BR Distribuidora). The new plant will have the capacity to produce around 500 million liters per year of SAF and green diesel.
Milton Steagall, CEO of BBF, considers palm oil a "green pre-salt" because of its potential for expansion in Brazil. Grupo BBF grows the plant on 75,000 hectares in the Amazon rainforest between the states of Pará and Roraima.
"With the 31 million hectares available [in Brazil], we have the opportunity to generate 1.1 billion barrels of palm oil per year, to be used in the development of biofuel to serve the airline industry," says Steagall. "That's more than is extracted by Petrobras in our pre-salt, so I say we have a real 'green pre-salt' in our country."
Read the full story at: https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/energia/dende-macauba-bambu-e-ate-amonia-empresas-ampliam-leque-de-fontes-de-energia/
