Alfa Laval to Supply Pre-Treatment Technology for Brazil’s 1 Billion-Litre SAF Biorefinery

Alfa Laval has secured a €102 million contract to supply hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) pre-treatment technology for Acelen Renewables’ sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project in Brazil. The facility, expected to begin operations in 2029, will have the capacity to produce 1 billion litres of SAF annually, positioning it among the country’s largest renewable fuel projects.

The project will produce SAF through the hydrotreating of renewable feedstocks, including soybean oil, tallow, used cooking oil (UCO) and macaúba, a native Brazilian oil-bearing crop.

Bahia Biorefinery to Produce SAF from Multiple Renewable Feedstocks

The biorefinery will be located in Bahia, where Acelen Renewables plans to cultivate 144,000 hectares of degraded land to support feedstock production. Around 20% of the plantation area will be allocated to partnerships with family farmers and small-scale producers as part of the company’s agricultural development programme.

The project combines renewable fuel production with land restoration and agricultural development, while incorporating both conventional biofuel feedstocks and macaúba, which has emerged as a potential high-yield crop for sustainable fuel production.

Alfa Laval to Deliver Modular HVO Pre-Treatment Systems

Under the agreement, Alfa Laval will supply modular pre-treatment systems covering the full feedstock preparation process before hydrotreating.

The package includes heat exchangers, separators, clarification systems, degumming units, absorption technology and wastewater treatment equipment designed to process a range of renewable feedstocks, including used cooking oil and macaúba oil.

The company said the technology for processing macaúba oil has been validated at its laboratories in Denmark. The equipment will be manufactured in Brazil as pre-assembled modules before being transported to the Bahia site for installation.

Alfa Laval has been working with Acelen Renewables on the project’s concept development for more than two years.

Fabio Muniz, Region President Latin America at Alfa Laval, said:

“This has been a true partnership approach which has really paid dividends and promises to help deliver a uniquely transformational project.”

He added:

“We have built a strong relationship with Acelen Renewables, and through our role as a trusted advisor we have worked together to understand their challenges and requirements and devised a flexible modular pre-treatment solution using our tried and tested technology.”

Project Aims to Expand Brazil’s SAF Production Capacity

According to Acelen Renewables, the facility is expected to strengthen Brazil’s renewable fuels industry while supporting production of low-carbon aviation fuel and other HVO products.

Luiz de Mendonça, CEO of Acelen Renewables, said:

“Our biorefinery has been designed to set a new benchmark for renewable fuel production by integrating agriculture, industrial technology, and sustainability. Alfa Laval brings world-class expertise and technology to a project with global ambitions that will help position Brazil among the world’s leading producers of low-carbon fuels.”

The company estimates the broader project will create approximately 85,000 direct and indirect jobs while contributing to regional economic development through its agricultural partnership programme.

Why Macaúba Is Being Used for SAF Production

Macaúba is attracting interest as a renewable fuel feedstock due to its high oil yield and ability to grow on degraded land. According to the project developers, the crop can produce significantly more oil per hectare than soybean while avoiding direct competition with food production. It is also expected to contribute to land restoration by improving soil moisture and reducing erosion.