Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has approved the creation of a new technical subcommittee that will study and propose measures to support the adoption of higher ethanol and biodiesel blends in the country’s fuel mix, reports Biodiesel Magazine.
The Subcommittee for Evaluation and Technical Feasibility of High-Content Biofuel Blends in Fossil Fuels was established on Oct. 29 as part of the implementation of Brazil’s Fuel of the Future Law. The law outlines plans to increase ethanol blending in gasoline to as much as 35% and biodiesel blending in diesel to up to 20%.
Brazil raised its ethanol blend requirement from 27% to 30% earlier this year, while the biodiesel mandate increased from 14% to 15%, both taking effect in August.
According to the government, the new subcommittee will assess the technical feasibility of blends beyond current market levels. It will be coordinated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and include representatives from government bodies, research institutions, laboratories, fuel producers and distributors, the automotive industry, and consumer groups.
Initial work on biodiesel will begin in November, focusing on blends above B15 and up to B25. The committee will also evaluate ethanol blends above E30 and up to E35, though the government has not indicated when this phase will start.
The move marks another step in Brazil’s strategy to expand biofuel use and advance its energy transition efforts.
