Petrobras selects Honeywell ethanol-to-jet technology for SAF project at REPLAN refinery

Brazil's Petrobras has selected Honeywell UOP's ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) process technology for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project at its REPLAN refinery in São Paulo state, marking a potential first large-scale deployment of the pathway in Latin America.

The project, located in Paulínia, remains subject to final approval but is expected to produce up to 10,000 barrels/day of SAF, positioning it as a key step in scaling ethanol-based aviation fuels in one of the world's largest biofuels markets, Honewell said in a statement on April 14.

Honeywell UOP's ETJ technology converts ethanol into jet fuel, offering a pathway to leverage widely available renewable feedstocks and accelerate SAF production. Petrobras' focus on ethanol underscores its strategy to utilize Brazil's established biofuel supply chain to support aviation decarbonization.

The move comes as global SAF demand rises, with refiners increasingly turning to scalable and commercially viable technologies to meet airline commitments to reduce life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Brazil's ethanol sector—largely based on sugarcane and known for its relatively low carbon intensity—offers a competitive feedstock base for such projects.

Once operational, the REPLAN ETJ unit is expected to help expand SAF availability for both domestic and international carriers while supporting emissions reductions across the aviation value chain.

Executives said the project highlights the role of technology partnerships in unlocking new SAF pathways. "With ethanol-to-jet technology, Petrobras is positioned to deliver low-carbon fuel solutions using abundant agricultural feedstocks," Ken West, CEO of Honeywell Process Technology, said.

The initiative builds on an existing relationship between Petrobras and Honeywell spanning refining, gas processing and industrial automation. In 2024, Petrobras also licensed Honeywell UOP's HEFA technology to produce SAF and renewable diesel at its Presidente Bernardes refinery in Cubatao, using feedstocks such as soybean oil and animal fats.

The ethanol-to-jet route is viewed as a complementary pathway to established SAF pathways, such as HEFA, particularly in regions with strong ethanol production. If scaled, the technology could diversify global SAF supply and reinforce Brazil's position as a key supplier in emerging low-carbon fuel markets.

Platts assessed Sustainable Aviation Fuel HEFA-SPK FOB Straits at $2,285/mt on April 15, up $20/mt from April 14,