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Daily Digest for
August 29, 2025
Brazil inaugurates Acelen Agripark for SAF production
President Lula inaugurated the Acelen Agripark in Montes Claros on 29 August 2025; the center is part of Acelen Renováveis’ macaúba-based biocombustible project backed by Mubadala Capital, with R$ 314 million for the Agripark (R$ 258 million financed by BNDES) and an initial US$ 3 billion investment package for the first integrated plant. The project targets production of 1 billion liters of SAF per year from 2028, integrates Novo PAC and REIDI incentives, and is listed in Brazil’s Programa País to the Green Climate Fund.
Brazil opens Acelen Agripark for macaúba-based SAF
President Lula inaugurated Acelen Agripark, a research and production center for macaúba-based SAF in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, backed by R$314 million in construction spending (R$258 million financed by BNDES) and an initial US$3 billion investment plan for an integrated plant. The project aims for 1 billion liters of SAF annually from 2028, includes the Programa Valoriza (36,000 ha first phase) and is listed in Brazil’s Programa País to the Green Climate Fund.
UK-EU SPS Agreement to Speed Food Trade
The UK government announced a forthcoming SPS agreement with the EU to remove most routine documentary and physical checks on food and agricultural products, aiming to reduce paperwork and speed trade. The government estimates this will add up to £5.1 billion a year to the UK economy and save businesses up to £200 per shipment by removing Export Health Certificates.
Japan and India sign Digital Partnership 2.0 and energy MOUs
Japan’s METI, represented by Minister Muto, participated in the leaders’ meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and exchanged four cooperation documents — including the “Japan-India Digital Partnership 2.0” (signed 25 Aug 2025) and a joint statement on clean hydrogen and clean ammonia — and announced a Japan-India Human Resource Exchange Initiative. The package also includes the 11th Japan-India Energy Dialogue joint statement and a mineral resources cooperation memorandum (signed 28 Aug 2025).
Brazil and Mexico to review trade and investment agreements
Brazil (vice-president Geraldo Alckmin) and Mexico (president Claudia Sheinbaum) signed a joint declaration to begin a 12-month review and expansion of trade and investment agreements, with work due to conclude by July 2026. The countries also signed sectoral cooperation pacts including Fiocruz–Mexico mRNA vaccine collaboration and an Anvisa–COFEPRIS regulatory memorandum; bilateral trade reached US$ 13.6 billion in 2024.
EU launches CBAM call for evidence 2025
On 28 August 2025 the European Commission (DG TAXUD) launched a call for evidence to gather stakeholder views on CBAM rules for calculating embedded emissions, adjusting CBAM certificates for free EU ETS allowances, and deducting carbon prices paid in third countries, with feedback open until 25 September 2025. The CBAM covers cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen and the initiative aims to simplify the regulation and provide legal certainty ahead of the definitive period starting 1 January 2026.
EU circular material use rate stagnates since 2016
Eurostat reports the EU circular material use rate rose from 9.1% in 2008 to 11.8% in 2023 but has largely stagnated since 2016; the EU aims to double materials from collected waste to 22.4% by 2030. National rates vary widely, with the Netherlands at 30.6% and Romania at 1.3%, and the source dataset is sdg_12_41.
Italy and Saudi Arabia deepen strategic partnership on Middle East
Italian FM Antonio Tajani said Italy and Saudi Arabia share a goal of a stable Middle East and have institutionalized ties through the Italian-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council signed in January 2025. Italian firms have agreements with Saudi Acwa Power and AlUla talks yielded nearly $10 billion in deals, while Saudi participation at the July 2025 Rome Ukraine Recovery Conference coincided with commitments exceeding €10 billion plus €5 billion in private-sector agreements.