To capitalise on the fast growing demand of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and sustainable chemicals, Belgium based Terra Mater, a pioneer in the development of its proprietary higher alcohol 2X technologies along with Brazil based Petrom (Petroquimica Mogi das Cruzes S A) with its state of the art refining capabilities of bio-based feedstocks together with North Sea Port, Belgium have signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding for Petrom to supply bio-based feedstocks – Bio-ethanol waste stream/isoamylalcohol/fusel oil to Terra Mater over a 5-year period at North Sea Port, for the manufacture of SAF and sustainable chemicals.

Terra Mater together with Petrom (Petroquimica Mogi das Cruzes S A) with North Sea Port today announced a unique 2X process technology to enable the manufacture of sustainable aviation fuel and sustainable chemicals from bio-based feedstocks.

“This agreement marks a significant step in our mission with bilateral ties between Brazil and Belgium to make the aviation and bio-based chemicals sector more sustainable. SAF produced from bio-ethanol waste stream/isoamylalcohol/fusel oil can play an important role in helping the aviation industry achieve the transition to a net-zero future. Reaching that goal by 2050 will require a multi-faceted approach, including advancements in aircraft-related technology, changes to infrastructure and operations, and a dramatic increase in SAF supply.

Terra Mater is focusing on SAF that is eligible for RefuelEU Aviation or CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) certification. Our 2X process technology will be an important step in this direction,” said Dr Kapil Shyam Lokare, Terra Mater’s co-founder and chief executive.

“Brazil has a unique position as a reliable supplier of biobased chemicals and Petrom has the technology to offer solutions to the growing demand for chemicals from renewable sources” said Fabiano Bianchi, Petrom´s executive director.

Terra Mater since 2020, has a history of developing proprietary process technologies and catalysts to make energy products that society needs. Terra Mater is leveraging its core capabilities to develop a solution that converts bio-ethanol and bio-ethanol waste streams to SAF. Bio-ethanol and bio-ethanol waste stream/isoamylalcohol/fusel oil derived from sugarcane, corn feedstocks either from 1st generation or 2nd generation, as well as from ethanol produced from waste effluent gases, can be converted into SAF using Terra Mater’s alcohol-to-jet proprietary process technology and catalysts. The Terra Mater 2X solution also provides the flexibility to use a mix of alcohols as feedstock and produce renewable diesel and lower-carbon chemical feedstocks that find applications in bio-based chemicals with applications in bio-surfactants, bio-plasticisers, and others.

“Terra Mater’s 2X Alcohol-to-Jet technology is scalable and suitable for the conversion of bio-ethanol produced from today’s world-scale plants. The work necessary to qualify the resulting renewable jet fuel pathway has already started at North Sea Port in Ghent,” said Johan Bresseleers, spokesman of the port company North Sea Port.

Brazil’s biofuel production reached a historical record in 2023, with robust growth and diversification of the country’s renewable energy sources. Ethanol and biodiesel production totalled almost 43 billion litres, reaching a historical record. Ethanol production rose by 15.5 percent, totalling 35.4 billion litres. At a conversion of 50 percent this offers an approximate of 17.7 billion litres of SAF to be deployed worldwide.

For more information visit www.northseaport.com

28 November 2024