Brazil's Geo Biogas to transform biomethane into SAF

Brazilian renewable energy company Geo Biogas will begin small-scale production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using biomethane as feedstock.

The R15mn ($2.8mn) plant will be in Maringa, Parana state. Geo Biogas, in partnership with Parana's state university, developed the technology.

Geo Biogas concluded feasibility studies for the 660 l/d (4b/d) project earlier this year.

The company said that similar plants can be built in locations with SAF demand that have access to biogas, helping meet future demand for the renewable fuel. The project highlights the potential for the sugar and ethanol industry to produce SAF, according Luiz Mario de Matos Jorge, one of the researchers responsible for the project.

Brazil has yet to set a timetable for a mandatory SAF blend despite its potential to be a major SAF producer.

A bill being debated in congress stipulates that Brazilian airlines adopt a 2pc blend in 2027, but the legislation is unlikely to be approved until next year. Brazil is undergoing a presidential administration transition, as Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva beat incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in a run-off vote on 30 October. The president-elect will take office on 1 January.

The Brazilian airline industry needs domestic production of SAF to meet demand because importing the fuel would significantly raise costs.

So far, only palm oil-based biofuels producer Brasil Biofuels (BBF) has plans for commercial-scale production of SAF in Brazil.