Bunge reaches milestone by validating low-impact soy for SAF (Sustainable Agricultural Production).

Bunge has become the first agribusiness solutions company to certify soybeans for use in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The operation is carried out under the international ISCC Corsia Plus protocol, recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

The certification was granted to the company's unit in Rondonópolis (MT) by SCS Global Services, and also includes the ISCC Corsia Plus Low-LUC seal, which attests to the low risk of indirect land use change. This achievement is considered a milestone for the biofuels sector, adding to previous Low-LUC certifications for other biofuel feedstocks.

According to Bunge, the certification involves rigorous sustainability standards that certified Brazilian soybeans must meet, based on traceability and other agricultural practices. It also reinforces Bunge's role as a leader in integration and innovation in the development of low-carbon renewable energy markets.

“This certification demonstrates that it is possible to produce soybeans sustainably and with low emissions, meeting the most demanding international criteria,” says Pamela Moreira, Bunge's Sustainability Director for South America. “Brazil's vast productive potential and advanced agricultural techniques represent significant potential to contribute to the energy transition. This achievement reinforces that sustainably grown soybeans can be part of the solution for the advancement of agroforestry systems,” she emphasizes. 

The ISCC Corsia Plus certification integrates the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program, created to encourage the use of renewable fuels in global air transport. The Low-LUC recognition guarantees that certified soybeans, through improved management and productivity practices, present a low risk of indirect land-use change, meaning they are not associated with new agricultural expansion.

“Beyond detailed technical criteria and rigorous audits, producer management practices play a fundamental role in this certification. This reinforces our journey of having an active role in our supply chain, engaging and supporting our producers in this transition, but also connecting them with new opportunities. We are aware of the challenges in scaling this certification and, therefore, its result has great weight for the sector, reinforcing the credibility of Brazilian agricultural production. Although this initial certification applies to our Rondonópolis unit, it represents a fundamental step in expanding the availability of soybean raw material for the growing SAF market,” concludes Pamela.