The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted Brazil’s opportunity to become a SAF powerhouse as its 82nd Annual General Meeting gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This would make Brazil a key player in air transport’s decarbonization, strengthen energy security, and grow Brazil’s economy.
Key points to note include:
- Airlines will need some 500 million tonnes (Mt) of SAF to achieve its net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 commitment.
- Brazil has one of the world’s largest biomass feedstock potentials, around 180 Mt by 2050, which could generate around 60 Mt of SAF.
- Looking to 2030, Brazil’s sustainably sourced sugar-based ethanol, as well as virgin and waste oils feedstock could reach around 18 Mt, translating into approximately 12 Mt of SAF production potential. That equates to five times the estimated global SAF production in 2026 of 2.4 Mt.
- Currently, Brazil has around 15 SAF projects underway. If all are completed, it would bring around 2 Mt of SAF online.
“Brazil has all the ingredients to be a global SAF powerhouse. It has one of the cleanest electricity mixes in the world as well as abundant feedstock. Moreover, as the second largest producer of liquid biofuels in the world, the country benefits from deep expertise and developed infrastructure. Brazil has a real opportunity to be a global leader in aviation’s decarbonization. Embracing this opportunity will create jobs, reduce dependence on foreign fossil fuels, build new energy and agriculture industries, and grow the economy. With the right policies implemented in the right order, Brazil is ready to jump-start the market,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Competitive Advantages and Economic Benefits
In addition to feedstock availability, Brazil’s experience in ethanol production, as well as its established refining base, give the country several competitive advantages. Together, this creates a strong foundation for scaling HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) and other advanced SAF pathways, particularly ethanol-to-jet, and it could enable Brazil to become a net exporter of SAF.
The economic benefits could be transformational. New industries and markets would emerge across a value chain that would span agriculture and feedstock development, logistics, infrastructure, refining, advanced fuel production, and new export products. This would support jobs, energy security and independence, improved soils, enhanced natural capital, and strengthened local communities.
Realizing Brazil’s Potential
SAF production in Brazil remains at an early stage. Achieving scale will require:
- Infrastructure: Deployment of conversion technologies, infrastructure investment, and improved logistics to connect feedstock supply with production facilities.
- Policy Incentives: Policy must enable success with targeted production incentives, supporting stronger financing mechanisms, and aligning with global sustainability standards.
- Book-and-Claim Approach: Moves to establish a book-and-claim system based on tradable SAF certificates will play an important role. It is encouraging that Brazil’s Fuel of the Future framework -ProBioQAV – is set to include these alongside requirements for airline SAF usage. This approach will make critical links with global frameworks such as CORSIA. Sequencing is critical to ensure that sufficient SAF is available before any use targets kick in.
“Brazil has many advantages—both in terms of natural resources and vast experience—that should give the country a world-leading role in SAF markets. The scale of Brazil’s potential is such that the economic rewards could be transformative. Applying tried and tested policies in the right order of sequence is necessary to achieve scale and the price reductions that come with it, but leapfrogging the building of supply chains and going straight for mandates will not. Aligning policies with global standards and programs such as CORSIA will allow Brazil to make the most of its great potential,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
