Brazil’s ANP approves new biodiesel specifications, quality controls

Brazil’s national agency for petroleum, natural gas and biofuels, ANP, approved new specifications and quality controls for biodiesel March 29, just days before the country’s mandatory blend percentage increased from 10 percent to 12 percent on April 1.

On March 17, Brazil’s National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) approved a measure March 17 to increase the nation’s biodiesel mandate from 10 percent to 12 percent.

The standard provides that the content will be increased to 13 percent in April 2024, 14 percent a year later and 15 percent in 2026.

The new quality measures ANP approved include:

• A requirement that the producer or importer of biodiesel provide information in the quality certificate about the type and concentration of the antioxidant additive added to the product

• An obligation for the biodiesel producer to have an active and operational filtration system with a maximum pore size of 10 micrometers to retain contaminants

• Monitoring of oxidative stability at 110 degrees Celsius in distribution centers

• Mandatory weekly draining of biodiesel storage tanks, in addition to the need for cleaning whenever necessary

• A reduction of the monoglyceride content from the current 0.7 percent mass to 0.6 percent effective 90 days after the publication of the new resolution and 0.5 percent 21 months after publication of the new resolution

• A reduction of the limit for sodium plus potassium and calcium plus magnesium content, from 5 parts per million (ppm) to 2.5 ppm

• A reduction of the limit for the phosphorus content from 10 ppm to 4 ppm effective 90 days after the publication of the new resolution and 3 ppm 21 months after publication of the new resolution

• An adjustment in the cold filter plugging point table, “in line with the national climate reality”

The objective of the proposals was to seek greater control of contaminants, oxidative stability and cold-flow properties of biodiesel, which are fundamental characteristics for maintaining the quality of biodiesel throughout the supply chain.

ANP noted that that new specification limits occur gradually, allowing the sector the necessary time to implement them.

The agency emphasized that it has set deadlines of 18 months before the most sensitive changes to phosphorus, monoglycerides and total glycerin levels will be enforced.