Brazilian Ethanol and the Technological Route for SAF
Brazil, as the second largest ethanol producer in the world, has a unique advantage in developing sustainable aviation fuels (PURE). In 2022, the country produced 30,9 billion liters of ethanol, being 29,2 billion liters of hydrated ethanol and 1,7 billion liters of anhydrous ethanol. Diogo Bertoldi Youssef, Azul Flight Engineering and Dispatch Manager, highlights the potential of this sector in the country.
An ethanol, from sugar cane and corn, can be transformed into SAF through the process called jet alcohol (ATJ). Although it has not yet reached a large global scale, This process is attracting investments in the United States and Brazil.
Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras announced that it will start using SAF on its flights from 2024. The company will buy 100 million liters of SAF from Raízen. Azul is the first Brazilian airline to announce the use of SAF. The company intends to use biofuel to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
International Recognition of Environmental Attributes and Public Policies
For Brazilian SAF to be produced from ethanol that can reach the international market, It is necessary for its environmental attributes to be recognized globally. As previously mentioned, the certification of Raízen's SAF by CORSIA is an important step in this direction.
With the possible production of SAF in Brazil, challenges and opportunities arise, including the dispute for the market with European airlines. Public policy will play a key role in determining the prices and availability of national SAF.
The proposal of the “Fuel of the Future” delivered to the National Congress aims to create a mandate to reduce emissions with the use of SAF. For the national airline sector to compete and prosper, It will be essential to develop policies that meet Brazil’s needs and decarbonization goals.
International Experiences and Current Scenario
International examples, like subsidies in the USA, where the government grants credits per gallon purchased, highlight the importance of incentives for the SAF industry. The tax models that serve the Brazilian SAF industry are necessary for its global competitiveness.
The collaboration between Honeywell, multinational technology company that provides a wide range of products and services to the aerospace sector, and Granbio, Brazilian industrial biotechnology company that creates solutions to transform biomass into renewable products, demonstrates the potential for expanding SAF production from biomass waste. This modular technology and government support aim to expand SAF production to commercial scale.
Recent data shows that ethanol is becoming an advantageous alternative to gasoline in Brazil, with more competitive prices, which contributes to a transition to more sustainable fuels.
Brazil, with its vast ethanol production capacity, has the opportunity to lead the transition to sustainable aviation fuels and play a key role in reducing carbon emissions in global aviation. However, To achieve this goal, it is necessary for the country to develop detailed public policies and cooperate with the SAF industry, ensuring that Brazil does not just produce SAF, but also benefit economically from this growing market.
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