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Copersucar and Geo announce partnership to develop technology in Brazil for SAF production from biogas

27/06/2024

São Paulo (SP), June 26, 2024 – Copersucar and Geo bio gas&carbon announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of developing technology for converting biogas into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Combining Copersucar’s scale in the sugarcane-energy sector with Geo’s expertise in biogas/biomethane production technology, the agreement intends to enable large-scale SAF production in Brazil in the coming years, utilizing a new production route alongside ethanol (known as alcohol-to-jet – ATJ).

As part of the partnership, the companies will build a commercial pilot plant expected to begin operation in 2025. The SAF production project from biogas/biomethane will employ the gas-to-liquid (GTL) route using Fischer-Tropsch technology, a chemical process for producing green liquid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas.

“The SAF produced from biogas/biomethane is a high-value product with a low carbon footprint, further expanding the use of sugarcane as a renewable energy source. This partnership could represent a new growth avenue for the Copersucar ecosystem, aligned with our strategy to provide scalable solutions for energy transition,” commented Tomás Manzano, Copersucar’s CEO.

Alessandro Gardemann, CEO of Geo, emphasized that “biogas production routes from organic waste are crucial to positioning Brazil as a producer and exporter of advanced fuels with added value. This makes the country competitive in decarbonizing both the Brazilian air transport matrix and demanding international markets such as Europe. Our plant will be born with the foundations ready to rapidly elevate production to an industrial scale level.”

About Copersucar

Structured as a unique and integrated ecosystem of specialized businesses, covering production access, logistics, storage, and marketing, Copersucar S.A. offers scalable solutions in renewable energy and natural food that drive the energy transition and contribute to global food security. A global leader in sugar and ethanol trading, the company is a reference in the ethanol market, serving Brazilian demand through Evolua Etanol and the American market through Eco-Energy, where it also trades natural gas. In sugar, in addition to the domestic market, the company serves customers in over 70 countries through Alvean – specialized in sugar origination and trading, and operates an efficient export logistics system from Brazil.

MEDIA CONTACT

Edelman Brasil

Eliane Dalpizol | + 55 11 96835-4392 | copersucar@edelman.com