Brazil’s Biodiesel will Increase to 13% Vegetable Oil in March 2021

The percentage of vegetable oils blended with petroleum diesel to make biodiesel in Brazil continues to increase on an annual basis. Soybean oil is the main vegetable oil component of biodiesel in Brazil. The percentage of soybean oil allowed in biodiesel is capped at 80% with the remaining 20% being devoted to other vegetable oils or animal fats.

In recent years, the Brazilian government set in motion a process that will slowly increase the amount of vegetable oils used to make biodiesel fuel. Currently, the percentage of vegetable oils in biodiesel is 12% or B12. The percentage is going to increase to 13% (B13) in March of 2021 and it is scheduled to increase 1% per year until at least the year 2028 when the percentage will be 20% (B20).

The soybean oil is provided by soybean crushers who are members of the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (Abiove). In anticipation of the increased use of soybean oil to make biodiesel, Abiove members have been ramping up their production capacities.

The chief economists for Abiove has stated that the industry already has the capacity to meet a B14 blend and that investments have already been made that will allow for an 8.5% increase in biodiesel production. In fact, Abiove has been pushing for an acceleration of the percentage of soybean oil used in biodiesel especially in large urban areas as a way to reduce air pollution.

They feel the use of biodiesel strengthens Brazil’s energy sector by utilizing a locally produced less polluting renewable source of energy.

Soybeans and Corn

Tags: Brazil's Biodiesel, Vegetable Oil