Brazil inaugurates Acelen Agripark for SAF production

The President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva inaugurated the Centro de Tecnologia e Inovação Agroindustrial (Acelen Agripark) in Montes Claros on 29 August 2025.

• Main announcement/action: The inauguration of the Acelen Agripark in Montes Claros (29/08/2025) marks the opening of a research, innovation and technology center for macaúba-based biocombustibles; construction cost was R$ 314 million (of which R$ 258 million financed by BNDES), the broader project foresees US$ 3 billion in initial investments to build the first integrated plant (including a biorrefinery in Bahia and macaúba planting in Minas Gerais and Bahia), and targets 1 billion liters of SAF per year from 2028. The project is listed in Brazil’s Programa País to the Green Climate Fund (announcement by the Ministério da Fazenda on 31 July 2025) and is integrated with the Novo PAC and tax incentives under REIDI.

• Background and concrete details: The initiative is led by Acelen Renováveis (created by Mubadala Capital); the site will develop a germplasm bank, cloning and genetic improvement, protocols for germination and seedling production, automation to reduce losses, experimental cultivations, and a pilot oil-extraction plant; Acelen reported the first industrial extraction of macaúba oil earlier this year. The inclusion program Valoriza launches a first phase of 36,000 hectares (20% of the planned 180,000 hectares) with an estimated 1 million tonnes/year of fresh fruit, and full implementation is projected by 2026. The Lei do Combustível do Futuro (sanctioned in 2024) establishes mandatory emission reduction targets for aviation from 2027 and creates market predictability for SAF and green diesel.