UK-based Firefly Green Fuels partners with Brazilian waste giant Sanepar, strengthening global feedstock access
Firefly Green Fuels, a British sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) developer, announced in mid-November that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sanepar, one of Brazil’s largest water and sanitation companies.
This strategic partnership enhances Firefly’s access to sustainable feedstock for biofuels production while expanding its footprint into the growing Brazilian and Latin American markets.
Through this new collaboration, Firefly Green Fuels and Sanepar will jointly explore opportunities to convert locally aggregated biosolids (sewage) into advanced biofuels, including SAF.
Sanepar’s well-established infrastructure network positions it as a critical partner for securing the reliable supply of feedstock needed to meet the growing global demand for SAF.
Firefly has developed an innovative pathway to sustainable fuels that uses a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction.
This process allows the company to chemically alter sewage waste, breaking it down into materials known as biocrude and biochar.
Biocrude is then upgraded into SAF and other fuels, while biochar can be utilized in a range of other applications.
Firefly noted that the partnership with Sanepar is a key milestone for the company, ensuring a stable and diverse feedstock supply for its SAF production.
By utilizing Brazil’s extensive waste resources, Firefly said it is poised to strengthen its global reach and to support aviation companies in their mission to decarbonize their operations.
“Brazil has emerged as a global leader in biofuels, and this partnership with Sanepar solidifies Firefly’s position in this rapidly growing market,” said James Hygate, CEO of Firefly Green Fuels. “The MOU reflects our commitment to our mission—decarbonizing aviation and tackling climate change. With Brazil’s government actively promoting biofuels through recent legislation and incentives, we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will unlock for both our company and our future customers.”
Brazil has been a player in the biofuels industry for decades, and the country’s recent policy announcements further strengthen its position as a renewable energy leader.
In 2024, the Brazilian government announced a series of new measures aimed at expanding biofuel production, including a mandate for increasing the percentage of biofuels in transportation fuels and investing in new technologies for SAF production.
With its vast urban population, Brazil is well-positioned to scale up Firefly’s unique sewage-fed production pathway, the U.K.-based company stated.
The Brazilian government is investing heavily in modernizing Brazil’s waste-treatment infrastructure, which will provide Firefly with access to a significant, continuous quantity of waste feedstock.
