Palm Biofuels: Characteristics and Perspectives in Brazil

Why the palm is strategic for advanced fuels

Palm oil production generates, inevitably, Residual currents with recoverable oil content: The plant effluent (Palm Oil Mill Effluent, Pome), The empty curls (Empty Fruit Bunches, EfB) and the pressed fibers of the mesocarp (Pressed Palm Fibers, PPF). ISCC guidelines classify Pome, EFB and PPF-and the oils recovered from these currents-as raw materials listed in the Anxiety IX Part A of RED II, eligible to the compulsory goals of advanced biofuels in the EU (3,5% until 2030) e, therefore, with strong regulatory and market value.

What is Pome, EFB and PPF - and why it matters

• Pome It is the inevitable wastewater of the palm plant; Contains mainly water, Smaller Oil and Solid Fractions. Only the oil recovered from Pome can be labeled as POME oil; pfad, High acidity or “accident oil” CPO constitutes critical violation.
• EFBs It is the empty curls after the removal of the fruits. May undergo treatment (ex.: EFB screw press) that extracts a “liquor” from which the EFB oil; improper labels are also prohibited.
• PPF Remaining pressed fibers are, usually used as fuel at the plant itself; of them can be recovered PPF oil before burning, with identical labeling rules.

Climate bonus in the “point of origin”

A crucial particularity for GEE's balance sheet: the oil recovered from pome, EFB and PPF at the plant is considered with gee emissions equal to zero at the point of origin. As to Red II not brings default values ​​to these paths, The following links (transport, processing, refinement) They must calculate real emissions. This supports competitive carbon intensities for HVO/SAF when logistics is well managed.

Risks, Audits and Traceability: What has changed with ISCC v3.1

To avoid “deliberate waste production” or fraudulent statement of virgin oils like residue oils, ISCC reinforces verification in source and determines clear responsibilities of the auditor.

A version 3.1 (valid from 29/04/2024) revoked the sampling approach to palm plants: Every plant that generates and provides Pome/EFB/PPF as sustainable must be audited annually and have individual certification as a point of origin. The “sample grouping” is not allowed typical of other points of origin.

The ISCC Guide details yet checklists de auditoria: production capacity, FFB processed in the period, Sterilizer type, recovery technology (of the “lake” or in-line), Volumes generated by flow (POME/EFB/PPF), posterior treatment (loss), Frequency of collection, Sds issued and reconciliation with other schemes (RSPO, Italian national system etc.) To avoid double count.

Technical plausibility and reasonable limits

Recovery by scum in Lagoas tends to be less efficient than technologies before the lagoon (ex.: centrifugal); audits require checking if reported volumes remain in plausible bands. The guide itself brings a example: for 250.000 t/year FFB with horizontal sterilizer, Plausible Pome Oil varies from ~ 525 to ~ 1,900 t/year depending on the method applied.

Technological Paths and Product Routes

Pome/EFB/PPF oils, When correctly segregated and certified, feed Rotas Hefa/HVO (renewable diesel, PURE) with high gee abatement potential. The market value comes from the status Anexo IX A (eligibility for advanced goals) allied to zero at the point of origin, But competitiveness depends on collection logistics, Download/decantation efficient, loss control, quality (FFA, humidity) and the ability of the biorefinaria to process currents with variability.

Perspectives in Brazil: Where we can gain advantage

Brazil brings together three favorable factors for Palm biofuels in Brazil:

1. Provante regulatory matrix: Producers aimed at EU can anchor projects in ISCC/RED II requirements, Exploring Pome/EFB/PPF advanced status and “zero at the point of origin”, since they comply with individual audit and reinforced traceability.
2. Agroindustrial Integration: plants that already burn fiber and return EFB to the field can Add value capturing residual oil of these flows (before burning/composting), maintaining agronomic practices (mulch) and directing the oil recovered to the HVO/SAF market. The ISCC Guide recognizes that EFB is traditionally burned or left in batteries (with risk of non -controlled composting emissions), but that drying/extraction technologies raise efficiency and allow measuring the oil obtained.
3. Heated international market: a goal of 3,5% of advanced in the EU until 2030 should maintain awards for raw materials of Annex IX a-clear opportunity for Brazilian plants that can standardize quality, prove origin and Avoid any undue mix/labeling (Pome/EFB/PPF ≠ CPO/PFAD).

What to do in practice

• Map and quantify: Medir volumes of Pome, EFB and PPF, with Balances of mass and treatment losses (decantation/centrifugation), and establish segregated storage.
• Choose recovery technologies: in-line (centrifuges/decanters) Raise the capture rate against the scum in Lagoas; This needs to appear in audit evidence and in the plausible volumes.
• Close: Individual ISCC Certificates by Plant, SDS consistent, verification of third parties and reconciliation with Other schemes To shield against double count.
• Plan the market route: Direct Pome/EFB/PPF Oil to Hefa/HVO/SAF With partners who accept quality variation and recognize the regulatory differential of Annex IX and “zero at the point of origin”.

Main challenges to mitigate

• Quality and Consistency: humidity, solids and FFA ask for pre-treatment standardization.
• Chain of custody: wrong labeling (ex.: Sell ​​pfad like Pome Oil) It's critical violation; Training and controls are indispensable.
• More intense audit: with the revocation of the sampling, Each plant needs to be ready to Annual Audit in Crazy and to defend plausibility yields against the design of the process (horizontal/vertical, in-line vs lago).

Conclusion Palm oil plants residues offer a robust route to Palm biofuels in Brazil Quando Vistos Pelo Prisma ISCC/RED II: eligibility as advanced, zero emissions at the point of origin, and an audit framework that protects integrity and creates market trust. To capture the prize, The sector needs to combine Process Engineering (efficient recovery, controlled losses) with excellence in compliance (individual certification, Mass and Audit Test Documents). With this base, Biorefinery can transform Pome/EFB/PPF Oil into HVO and SAF, connecting the Brazilian agro -industry to an international expanding market and increasing the offer of low carbon fuels.

Learn more about biofuels in our blog. And more about ISCC certification schemes on here.