Petrobras initiates contracting process to build renewable diesel, SAF plant at RPBC refinery in Cubatão, Brazil
- Petrobras
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- 2 min read
Petrobras announced Aug. 20 that it has initiated the contracting process to build the first plant dedicated to the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel, to be installed at the Presidente Bernardes refinery (RPBC) in Cubatão, São Paulo, Brazil.
The project is expected to process approximately 950,000 tons per year of plant-based feedstocks and animal fat, generating a production capacity of up to 16,000 barrels (672,000 gallons) per day of hydrotreated biofuels.
The project for the construction of the new plant was divided into five contracting packages.
The bidding for the first package, which is already open, refers to the pretreatment unit, responsible for removing impurities from the feedstock for subsequent conversion into SAF and renewable diesel.
Tanks are expected to be installed to store derivatives and raw materials such as soybean oil and beef tallow, sourced primarily from the Central-West, South and Southeast regions of Brazil.
“Petrobras is advancing its pioneering spirit and its ability to develop solutions that contribute to emissions-reduction targets,” said Renata Baruzzi, Petrobras’ director of engineering, technology and innovation.
“The plant dedicated to the production of renewable fuels in RPBC and the offering of new products to the market will be a milestone in the sustainable development we are pursuing,” Baruzzi added.
Contracts are expected to be signed in the second half of 2026, and construction is expected to begin at the end of the same year.
Approximately 3,000 jobs are expected to be created during the construction process.
Petrobras said it is committed to sustainable development and the implementation of solutions for a just energy transition.
The plant dedicated to the production of SAF and renewable diesel represents a milestone in meeting the emissions-reduction targets for the country’s highway and civil-aviation sectors, Petrobras stated.
The project is aligned with the Brazilian Fuel of the Future law, global emissions-reduction initiatives such as the production of sustainable blending components and the commitments made by aviation companies to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation starting in 2027.
CORSIA is ICAO’s program for reducing and offsetting CO2 emissions from international flights, Petrobras noted.
“The implementation of Petrobras’ first [SAF] and renewable diesel plant reinforces our leadership position in the just energy transition and our commitment to Brazil’s sustainable development,” said William França, Petrobras’ director of industrial processes and products.
“We will deliver products with lower greenhouse-gas emissions, in line with society’s demands and a changing world,” França said.
