Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul to Host First Industrial-Scale Plant Using New Waste-to-Value Biofuel Technology

U.S.-based biotechnology firm Cemvita has formalized plans to build a new facility in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul that will produce low-carbon oil for use in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and a regenerative biofertilizer. The project, officially announced at a signing ceremony at the Palácio Piratini, marks the first industrial-scale deployment of Cemvita’s bioconversion technology.

The agreement, signed with state investment agency Invest RS, outlines the development of a facility that will manufacture two products: FermOil, a renewable oil made from crude glycerol that serves as a SAF feedstock, and FermNPK, a biofertilizer aimed at supporting regenerative agriculture.

State officials said the project aligns with Rio Grande do Sul’s economic and environmental goals by advancing its position in the global bioeconomy and energy transition.

“This partnership with Cemvita reinforces our commitment to sustainability, the attraction of high-impact investments, and the creation of opportunities in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, and industry,” said acting governor Gabriel Souza during the announcement.

Cemvita’s CEO, Moji Karimi, noted that the region’s infrastructure, availability of key feedstocks, and policy support made it a suitable location. “Brazil, and especially Rio Grande do Sul, aligns ... with Cemvita’s strategic vision,” Karimi said. 

The plant will be the first of its kind globally to operate at scale using this particular waste-to-value process, which converts crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, into sustainable oil and agricultural inputs.

The state’s selection for the facility was influenced by its existing biodiesel industry, strong logistics network, and government incentives for low-carbon technologies. According to Invest RS President Rafael Prikladnicki, the agency will provide technical support, value chain mapping, and assistance with regulatory and tax processes.

Earlier this year, Cemvita also partnered with Be8, a Rio Grande do Sul-based biofuel company, to strengthen the region’s SAF value chain.

State leaders view the project as a significant step in transforming Rio Grande do Sul into a global innovation hub for circular bioeconomy solutions, integrating industrial biotechnology with renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.

“This is a project that combines development and sustainability,” said Leandro Evaldt, Deputy Secretary of Economic Development. “It supports our goal of inclusive and sustainable economic growth while reinforcing our business-friendly environment.”

Construction timelines and production targets for the facility have not yet been disclosed.