Acelen Renewables has opted for Honeywell's Ecofining™ technology to support the efficient production of a targeted 20,000 barrels per day of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel at its facility in Bahia, Brazil. The fuels will be derived from a blend of inedible seed and waste oils, processed using Honeywell's Ecofining process, developed in collaboration with Eni SpA.
Honeywell's Ecofining process is recognized for its capital- and cost-effective solution in converting waste fats, oils, and greases into renewable diesel and SAF. Blending SAF with conventional jet fuel can result in up to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels. The Ecofining process has been in use since 2013 for renewable diesel and 2016 for SAF production, making it a proven tool for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, particularly in air travel.
In recent years, Honeywell has witnessed a significant surge in demand for renewable fuels technologies, including Ecofining. This aligns with global efforts toward decarbonization, particularly in the aviation sector, supported by initiatives like the SAF Grand Challenge, SAF tax credit in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, and the European Council's ‘Fit for 55' package.
Ken West, President and CEO of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions, remarked, “The dramatic growth in demand for renewable fuels technology illustrates that fuel producers are accelerating adoption of solutions to help meet ambitious decarbonization goals.”
Acelen Renewables joins a list of companies globally licensing Honeywell's renewable fuels technology, including BP, CVR Energy, Diamond Green Diesel, Eni, Repsol, Total, and World Energy. The addition of Acelen Renewables marks the 50th license for Honeywell's Ecofining technology. Among the 50 licenses, eight facilities are already operational, and more than 40 licensed plants are expected to be operational by 2030. These combined plants aim to exceed a renewable fuels capacity of 500,000 barrels per day at peak efficiency.
Marcelo Cordaro, COO of Acelen Renewables, emphasized the significance of incorporating Honeywell's Ecofining process to achieve their goal of becoming one of the largest biofuel producers globally, producing one billion liters of renewable diesel and SAF annually from 2026 onwards. Cordaro highlighted the fully sustainable nature of their project, both economically, socially, and environmentally responsible, showcasing Brazil's capacity to produce the fuel of the future.
