Topsoe, a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, has formed a partnership with Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense SA (Riograndense) to deploy its advanced HydroFlex™ and H2bridge™ technologies. These technologies will be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel at Riograndense’s Rio Grande renewable fuels facility in Brazil. This collaboration aims to meet the rapidly increasing demand for SAF, a key component in the aviation industry’s effort to reduce carbon emissions. According to the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Scenario, over 10% of aviation fuel consumption must be SAF by 2030 to keep on track for achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. However, in 2023, the International Air Transport Association estimated that SAF production accounted for only around 0.2% of global jet fuel demand.

Elena Scaltritti, Chief Commercial Officer at Topsoe, emphasized Brazil's commitment to cutting airline emissions, with the country setting ambitious targets in October 2024. She highlighted that Riograndense is among the early adopters, positioning itself to ensure that SAF is available for airline operators when needed. She expressed excitement about partnering with Riograndense to expand the renewable fuel supply in Brazil.

Felipe Jorge, Managing Director at Riograndense, shared that the company views Topsoe as the ideal partner for its transition toward a biorefinery. This shift will enable Riograndense to become a leading producer of SAF in Brazil. The agreement with Riograndense is part of a series of recent successes for Topsoe in deploying its HydroFlex™ technology. The company has secured contracts for renewable fuel production at several facilities worldwide, including HOLBORN’s Hamburg refinery, Braya Renewable Fuels’ Come By Chance plant in Canada, Cepsa Bioenergia San Roque’s Palos de la Frontera plant in Spain, and Guangxi Hongkun Biomass in China.

This strategic collaboration marks a significant step in Brazil’s efforts to expand its renewable fuel industry, aligning with global sustainability goals and supporting the aviation sector’s transition to cleaner fuel alternatives. By working with Riograndense, Topsoe is playing a crucial role in accelerating the production and supply of SAF in Brazil, helping the country meet its carbon reduction targets and contribute to the global fight against climate change.

HydroFlex™ enables customers to transform a variety of fats, oils, and greases into renewable jet fuel and diesel, which meet all globally recognized fuel specifications. This versatile technology can be implemented in both new plants and existing facilities, supporting co-processing or fully renewable applications.

H2bridge™ technology enhances this process by replacing external fossil feedstocks used in hydrogen production. It achieves this by processing waste propane and off-gases from the HydroFlex™ process, converting them into green hydrogen that is then reused in the same process. This patented integration boosts the carbon intensity score for customers, contributing to more sustainable fuel production.