Embraer is accelerating studies to enable its aircraft to fly using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) entirely from renewable sources, without blending with fossil fuels. This progress follows the company’s first acquisition of a 100% SAF batch in Brazil, supplied by Vibra, the country’s largest fuel distributor and one of its leading energy companies. With this sample, Embraer will step up testing on how different materials in aircraft react to prolonged contact with the biofuel.

“Access to SAF in Brazil brings greater dynamism to our testing activities at Embraer’s headquarters. With this initiative, we are moving closer to our goal of having our aircraft ready to operate with 100% SAF by 2030,” said André Tachard, Embraer’s Global Head of ESG.

Despite Brazil’s great potential for SAF production, the fuel is not yet available at scale in the country. Until now, Embraer’s studies relied exclusively on laboratories in the United States and Europe. Beyond the costs and administrative hurdles, another challenge was that SAF was only sold in large volumes, disproportionate to the smaller-scale requirements of laboratory routines.

With the first acquisition of this batch in Brazil, Embraer is testing the compatibility of 100% renewable SAF with non-metallic materials. The goal is to observe how these materials behave under continuous direct contact with the biofuel, taking into account the specific characteristics of wing tanks in commercial, executive, and defense jets. The findings will contribute to the broader public discussion of key technical aspects relevant to the entire aviation sector.

“Partnerships such as the one we have with Embraer are essential to accelerating aviation’s energy transition. By enabling access to SAF in Brazil, we are not only supporting the technical studies of one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, but also fostering the development of a strategic market for the sector’s decarbonization,” said Marcelo Bragança, Vibra’s Vice President of Operations.

The biofuel currently being tested at Embraer was imported from Belgium and is stored at its base at Rio de Janeiro’s Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG). The site has ISCC EU (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) and CORSIA certification, ensuring sustainability traceability across the entire supply chain, including distribution via BR Aviation, Vibra’s business unit for aircraft fueling services.

SAF has the potential to reduce carbon emissions in the aerospace industry by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. Today, all Embraer aircraft are certified to operate with blends of up to 50% SAF. In recent years, the company has advanced studies to enable 100% SAF flights, aiming for certification by 2030.

About Embraer – Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. It manufactures aircraft for commercial and executive aviation, defense and security, and agricultural customers. The company also provides after-sales services and support through a worldwide network of fully owned entities and authorized agents.

Since its founding in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. On average, every 10 seconds, an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, carrying over 150 million passengers annually.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and is Brazil’s top exporter of high-value-added goods. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service centers, and parts distribution facilities across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

About Vibra – A leader in Brazil’s fuel and lubricant distribution market, Vibra is now a multi-energy platform offering solutions beyond traditional fuels, meeting customers’ energy needs while adhering to the industry’s best ESG practices. In recent years, the company has invested more than BRL 7 billion in energy transition projects, building a portfolio of renewable and decarbonization solutions. Vibra’s ecosystem includes Comerc, Evolua, and EzVolt.

In the automotive sector, Vibra holds the Petrobras brand license, operating a network of around 8,000 gas stations across Brazil, including BR Mania and Lubrax+ franchises. With a nationwide presence, it serves more than 30 million consumers per month and holds a 31% share of the branded service station market. The company also supplies over 10,000 customers at 30,000 consumption points in aviation, transport, industry, mining, chemicals, and agribusiness. Through BR Aviation, Vibra fuels 6 out of every 10 aircraft taking off daily in Brazil, across more than 90 airports.

A reference in lubricants, Vibra owns the largest plant in Latin America and is nationally recognized for the Lubrax brand. As part of its ESG strategy, Vibra has also incorporated the fight against sexual violence toward children and adolescents as a priority cause, making this commitment a key pillar of its operations.