Law establishing the National Biokerosene Program had the support of Embrapa Agroenergia

Embrapa Agroenergia contributed, in a decisive way, to the approval of Law No. 14.248, of November 25, 2021, which establishes the National Biokerosene Program. The project encourages research and promotion of biomass-based energy production, aiming for the sustainability of Brazilian aviation. The Unit participated in the preparation of technical notes throughout the process of processing the bill in the Chamber of Deputies. 

“We have the challenge of creating bases for the development of the production chain of sustainable aviation biofuels in Brazil regarding the availability of raw materials, industrial processing in the logic of biorefineries and integration with regionalized production chains”, says Bruno Laviola, head of research and development at Embrapa Agroenergia. To this end, research actions are developed to profile the sources of raw materials for biokerosene production, considering regional and logistical aspects.

The Unit researches different sources of raw materials, such as sugar cane, palm oil, macaúba and even frying oil. “It is important that the sources of raw materials and plants are close to major Brazilian airports”, highlights Laviola.

For the manager of Institutional and Governmental Relations at Embrapa's Secretariat of Intelligence and Strategic Relations (GRIG/SIRE), Cynthia Cury, Embrapa will play a fundamental role in the implementation of the new law, which establishes a policy to promote technological development and the production of biofuels.     

“This is yet another opportunity for Embrapa to fulfill an important institutional role, which is to contribute data and scientific evidence to the formulation and implementation of this important public policy”, says Cynthia.

Another point to be highlighted is the insertion of the national aeronautical industry in the alternative fuels market, which can help Brazil comply with international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector. The program should evaluate the impacts of using sustainable biofuels on reducing the emission of these gases into the atmosphere.

The National Biokerosene Program is part of the context of Future Fuel Program, created by the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) to increase the use of sustainable fuels in the national energy matrix. 

The Fuel of the Future presents two objectives directly related to the sanctioned bill: introduction of the production of sustainable aviation fuels in the transport matrix and the creation of incentives for the application of resources in projects focused on the development of the sustainable aviation fuels market.