Topsoe to supply Brazil’s first large-scale SAF plant

Danish technology leader Topsoe has partnered with Refinaria Riograndense to provide its advanced HydroFlex™ and H2bridge™ technologies for Brazil’s first large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plant. Located in Rio Grande, the facility aims to produce 16,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel and SAF from soybean oil and tallow feedstocks.

The plant, set to begin operations in the first half of 2028, will help Brazil meet its ambitious airline emissions reduction targets. Using Topsoe’s technology, it is estimated to avoid more than two million tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to the emissions of more than 240,000 petrol-powered cars driven for a year.

Elena Scaltritti, chief commercial officer at Topsoe, emphasised the partnership’s importance: “With Brazil setting ambitious airline emissions reduction targets in October this year, Riograndense is one of the country’s early movers to ensure SAF supply is available for airline operators on-time. We look forward to partnering with Riograndense to grow the supply of renewable fuels in Brazil.”

Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ enables the conversion of fats, oils, and greases into drop-in renewable jet and diesel fuels, while the H2bridge™ technology processes waste propane and off-gases into green hydrogen for the same process. This innovative integration enhances efficiency and reduces carbon intensity.

Meeting global demand for SAF

SAF is a critical component of aviation’s net-zero strategy, with the International Energy Agency forecasting that 10% of aviation fuel consumption must be SAF by 2030. Currently, SAF accounts for just 0.2% of total jet fuel demand. This facility will play a vital role in bridging that gap.

Felipe Jorge, managing director of Riograndense, stated: “We believe Topsoe is the right partner for Riograndense to progress towards the total conversion to a biorefinery, which will allow us to become a reference in the SAF production in Brazil. “