The inauguration of the first biodiesel production plant in Brazil, Soyminas/MG, was carried out by President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, on March 24, 2005. During the ceremony, in the city of Cássia, the president stated that the country would have potential to become a major biodiesel producer. And he was right. Based on the security provided by the National Program for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB), the regulatory framework for biodiesel launched by the Lula government in 2004, the private sector has been making large investments in the production of this important Brazilian biofuel.

Minister Alexandre Silveira stated that “the progress made by biodiesel over these 18 years has been significant for Brazil. There are 59 biodiesel production facilities authorized by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP)”, highlighted the minister.

The production capacity of these plants reaches 38,455 m³/day. “The expectation is that the production of this biofuel exceeds 7.5 billion liters in 2023”, declared Alexandre Silveira with enthusiasm.

The National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) decided, on March 17, to increase the mandatory blend of biodiesel with diesel to 12% (B12 blend), starting in April. The collegiate decision was extended to 2026, providing for the increase of the mixture to 13% (B13) in April 2024, 14% (B14) in April 2025, until April 2026, when the mixture is expected to reach 15% (B15). The decision may be reviewed at any time by the Board.

Family farming

In addition to contributing to the country's energy security, biodiesel expands its benefits and accumulates a significant contribution in the social area, such as family farming. The Social Biofuel Seal, a fundamental instrument for the National Program for the Production and Use of Biodiesel, guarantees the participation of family farming in the biodiesel production chain.

Within the scope of the CNPE, considering the need to diversify the region of origin and the raw material to strengthen the Seal, the council also established in its last meeting, the minimum increasing participation of family farming in the North, Northeast and Semi-arid regions, which should be 10% in 2024, 15% in 2025 and 20% in 2026.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) celebrates the coming of age of the biodiesel sector in Brazil, with its 18 years of history in the country, which is synonymous with important advances towards the energy transition to a low carbon economy, with job creation , income and opportunities for Brazil.