In refining, the resumption of demand in the domestic market resulted in a recovery in sales and production of oil by-products. Consequently, the utilization factor (FUT) of the refineries started to fluctuate around 80% in 3Q20, after reaching 55% in April. Thus, fuel production was 17.8% higher than in 2Q20 and in 9M20 it was 1.7% higher than in the same period last year.

Diesel S-10 

Since July, the production of S-10 diesel, with low sulfur content, has broken records, reflecting commercial actions implemented by the company to expand the offer of S-10 diesel to replace the S-500, consistent with the strategy of producing more environment-friendly fuels. In September, we reached the mark of 396 kbpd. The growth in the production of S-10 diesel reflects the greater demand for the product in Brazil, following the evolution of engines for heavy-duty and utility vehicles powered by diesel, responsible for most of the circulation of goods in Brazil. In relation to total sales, there was a recovery in demand and market share for diesel and gasoline compared to 2Q20, a period in which the demand was highly impacted by social distancing measures.

In September 2020, we launched the Biorefino 2030 program, targeting projects for the production of a new generation of fuels, more modern and sustainable than the current ones, such as renewable diesel and aviation biokerosene (BioQAv). Renewable diesel is an advanced biofuel, produced from vegetable oils and with the same structure as conventional diesel oil, capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% when compared to regular diesel and by 15% when compared to biodiesel. We have successfully completed industrial scale tests and await authorization from the National Energy Policy Council for marketing renewable diesel in Brazil. BioQAv, on the other hand, will become mandatory in Brazil from 2027 and its hydrogenation process uses the same raw materials necessary for the production of renewable diesel. The industrial units that produce BioQAv have renewable diesel as a co-product.