Biodiesel producer Be8 signs MOU with Cemvita to develop glycerin as SAF feedstock in Brazil

From left, Battistella and Karimi. (Photo: Be8)

The Brazilian biodiesel producer Be8 and U.S.-based Cemvita signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Jan. 21 at Brazil House, the country’s discussion space at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to develop the conversion of glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production, into low-carbon feedstock to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

“We are now establishing an important partnership aimed at developing a new low-carbon value chain using residual raw material for the production of SAF by converting crude glycerin from Be8’s operations into sustainable bio-oil using our technology,” explained Moji Karimi, CEO at Cemvita, a developer of innovative biotechnological solutions that support sustainable energy. 

Erasmo Carlos Battistella, the president of Be8, a leading Brazilian biodiesel producer and the largest exporter of glycerin in the country, added, “There is a growing demand from SAF produced from residual and circular feedstock and we are very excited to help the aviation industry deliver its long-term ambitious goals to reduce emissions with this innovative solution.  

Battistella said Be8 is once again showing that innovation is in its DNA, whether developing in-house or seeking partnerships like this one with Cemvita. 

“It is a pleasure to establish this strategic collaboration with Cemvita, which contributes its expertise in industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology within a circular-bioeconomy model that will enable us to produce a very-low carbon SAF,” he said.  

Cemvita announced Jan. 9 that it was expanding into Brazil.  

“For decades, Brazil has been a pioneer in bioeconomy, and now the time has come to create the future of circular bioeconomy,” Karimi said. “Our vision is to combine the innovation for which Cemvita is known with Brazil’s expertise and resources to create an ecosystem where waste becomes opportunity, and sustainability drives growth. By partnering with Brazilian stakeholders, Cemvita intends to develop Brazil’s bioeconomy legacy, while also laying the groundwork for a circular and sustainable future.” 

Glycerin is a byproduct of biodiesel production.  

During the transesterification process, which converts vegetable oils or animal fats into biodiesel, glycerin is generated as a coproduct.  

It has several applications in various industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food.  

In this case, the innovation will contribute to using glycerin as a raw material for producing biofuel that will support the decarbonization of the aviation sector. 

A working group formed by professionals from both companies will now conduct a detailed technical and economic feasibility study on the proposed bio-oil production process, including the details of a collaborative business model, and the investment estimates for a glycerin-to-SAF raw material conversion plant in Brazil. 

The studies will also include the usage of the sustainable bio-oil obtained from the new partnership as a feedstock in the Omega Green project.  

The initiative is a world class biorefinery that will produce SAF, renewable diesel and green naphtha located in Paraguay.