Brazil House approves increasing biodiesel mandate to 10 percent

Brazil’s House of Representatives approved a measure March 3 to increase the mandatory percentage of biodiesel required in diesel fuel by 1 percent a year, from 7 percent today to 10 percent in three years.  

Deputado Evandro Gussi said since the bill was negotiated with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, he fully expects President Dilma Rousseff to sign the legislation into law.

The measure leaves the door open to reach 15 percent biodiesel once positive engine test results are obtained, provided such a hike is approved by National Energy Policy Council.

The proposal also allows NEPC to authorize the use of higher blends on a voluntary basis in public transportation, mining equipment, power generation, tractors and other agricultural equipment.

“The biodiesel mandate increase in Brazil clearly confirms the country’s leading position in developing a solid renewable energy matrix, which relies on hydroelectric, solar, wind and biomass-based power as alternatives to conventional energy sources,” said Carlos Araujo, the North American marketing manager at Evonik Corp., a global supplier of sodium methylate catalyst to the biodiesel industry. Evonik built a new catalyst plant in Argentina that started production in 2013 with what Araujo said was a clear focus to supply both Argentinean and Brazilian biodiesel markets. 

“The government decision also brings certainty and clarity to the biodiesel value chain by establishing a path in the horizon,” Araujo said. “With a defined plan and deadline, feedstock producers, biodiesel producers, distributors and regulatory agencies will be able to implement the necessary infrastructure and control measures to assure the progressive growth to B10. Most importantly, Brazil will achieve a significant improvement in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and also of public health issues related to air pollution.” 

Biodiesel Magazine first covered this legislative development last November when a special committee on national development unanimously approved the senate bill.