BRAZIL TURNS CO₂ INTO FUEL
Power Samba
eyesonbrasil
Amsterdam, 23 sept. 2025–Brazilian scientists are advancing the transformation of CO₂ into renewable fuels such as e-methanol, gasoline, and diesel, with potential to power ships, trucks, and cars.
At the University of São Paulo, the Research Center for Innovation in Greenhouse Gases, in partnership with FAPESP and Shell, produces e-methanol from CO₂ generated in sugarcane fermentation, achieving 98% selectivity and planning a pilot plant capable of producing up to three liters of fuel daily by 2026.
Meanwhile, Repsol Sinopec Brazil, in collaboration with Hytron, Senai-CETIQT, and USP, develops the CO2CHEM project, converting CO₂ and hydrogen into renewable gasoline and diesel using clean energy and capturing CO₂ directly from the air. This progress positions Brazil as a global reference for fuels in sectors that are difficult to electrify, including maritime and heavy road transport.
These technologies contribute to decarbonization and the creation of a circular carbon economy. The main challenge is making these fuels cost-competitive with fossil alternatives, but industrial scale-up and international regulations are expected to accelerate adoption and support clean energy exports.