Firefly partners with Brazil’s Sanepar on feedstock

British sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) developer Firefly Green Fuels has signed an agreement with Brazil’s largest water and sanitation company Sanepar to increase its access to sustainable feedstock for biofuels production while expanding its footprint into the growing Brazilian and Latin American markets.

Through this collaboration, Firefly and Sanepar will jointly explore opportunities to convert locally aggregated biosolids (sewage) into advanced biofuels, including SAF.

“Brazil has emerged as a global leader in biofuels, and this partnership with Sanepar solidifies Firefly’s position in this rapidly growing market,” said James Hygate, CEO, Firefly Green Fuels.

“The MOU reflects our commitment to our mission – decarbonising aviation and tackling climate change. With Brazil’s government actively promoting biofuels through recent legislation and incentives, we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will unlock for both our company and our future customers.”

Firefly said the partnership with Sanepar is a key milestone and will ensure a stable and diverse feedstock supply for its SAF production.

Brazil has been a player in the biofuels industry for decades, and the country’s recent policy announcements further strengthen its position as a renewable energy leader.

In 2024, the Brazilian government announced a series of new measures aimed at expanding biofuel production, including a mandate for increasing the percentage of biofuels in transportation fuels and investing in new technologies for SAF production.

With its vast urban population, Brazil is well-positioned to scale up Firefly’s unique sewage-fed production pathway.

The Brazilian government are investing heavily in modernising Brazil’s waste treatment infrastructure which will provide Firefly with access to a significant, continuous quantity of waste feedstock.