Brazil’s strong bioenergy sector, led by its world-renowned sugarcane ethanol industry, could position the country as one of the largest producers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and a key contributor to the decarbonisation of global air travel, according to the International Air Transport Association.
The assessment was presented during IATA’s 82nd Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, where industry leaders highlighted how Brazil’s bioenergy resources, agricultural strength and biofuel expertise could support the rapid expansion of sustainable aviation fuel production, UZ Daily reported.
IATA estimates that the global aviation sector will require around 500 million tonnes of SAF annually to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050. Brazil’s vast agricultural resources and decades of experience in biofuel production place the country in a favourable position to contribute significantly to that goal.
According to the association, Brazil could have access to nearly 180 million tonnes of biomass feedstock by mid-century, enough to support the production of approximately 60 million tonnes of SAF.
Sugarcane ethanol is expected to be a major contributor to this growth. IATA projects that sustainably produced sugarcane ethanol, together with vegetable oils and used cooking oils, could provide around 18 million tonnes of feedstock by 2030. This volume could be converted into nearly 12 million tonnes of SAF, equivalent to about five times the global production of the fuel expected in 2026.
Brazil is already expanding its presence in the sector, with around 15 sustainable aviation fuel projects currently under development. If completed, these projects could add approximately 2 million tonnes of annual SAF production capacity.
Willie Walsh said Brazil enjoys a unique combination of advantages, including abundant biomass resources, a clean energy system, established infrastructure and long-standing expertise in biofuel production. He noted that these strengths provide a strong foundation for the country to become a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel.
IATA also identified Brazil’s extensive ethanol production network and existing refining infrastructure as important assets that could support multiple SAF production technologies, including pathways that convert ethanol into aviation fuel.
The association believes that Brazil has the potential not only to meet domestic demand for sustainable aviation fuel but also to become a major exporter to international markets. Growth in the sector could create opportunities across agriculture, feedstock processing, logistics and export industries.
However, IATA cautioned that realizing this potential will require continued investment in production facilities, infrastructure, technological development and financing. The organisation also stressed the need for supportive government policies and regulations aligned with international sustainability standards.
In addition, IATA called for the introduction of SAF certificate trading systems and the development of sufficient production capacity before mandatory blending requirements are introduced.
Marie Owens Thomsen said the economic opportunities associated with SAF production could be transformative for Brazil. She added that strengthening supply chains and aligning national policies with international programmes such as CORSIA would help the country maximise its competitive position in the expanding global SAF market.
With its mature sugarcane ethanol industry, abundant bioenergy resources and growing investment in renewable fuels, Brazil is increasingly being viewed as a future leader in the global sustainable aviation fuel market.
