Honeywell is expanding its presence in the low-carbon fuels sector through a new agreement with Acelen Renewables to support large-scale production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel in Brazil.
The partnership will support development of a greenfield facility in Bahia aimed at increasing industrial-scale production of lower-emission fuels, Indian Chemical News reported.
Honeywell said the project will use its modular Ecofining process technology along with specialised pumps, compressors and integrated control and safety systems to support fuel production while improving project delivery efficiency.
The development comes as global demand for sustainable aviation fuel is projected to rise sharply over the next decade, reaching nearly 500,000 barrels per day. The expected growth is increasing pressure on fuel producers to expand capacity while controlling costs and reducing construction timelines.
Honeywell said its modular deployment approach is designed to shorten project execution schedules and lower capital requirements compared with conventional refinery development.
Marcelo Cordaro, Chief Operating Officer of Acelen Renewables, said Brazil is positioned to become an important producer of future transport fuels through a project designed to be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
He said the Bahia project supports biodiversity and promotes a sustainability-focused economy, adding that Honeywell’s process technology and automation capabilities will help maximise production of lower-emission fuels to meet growing global demand.
At the centre of the project is Honeywell UOP’s Ecofining process technology, developed in partnership with Eni SpA. The technology converts waste fats, oils and greases into renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
According to Honeywell, fuel produced through the process can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% when blended with conventional jet fuel.
Ken West, President and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell Process Technology, said the company’s low-carbon technologies allow producers to meet growing renewable fuel demand using multiple feedstock options.
He added that process technology and integrated automation are playing an increasingly important role in lowering renewable fuel production costs, while the use of newer, lower-cost feedstocks could help reduce costs further.
Honeywell said it has supplied more than 1,500 modular process units worldwide and continues to expand its role in prefabricated industrial systems.
The company added that its integrated control and safety systems, built on the Experion PKS platform, are designed to simplify operations, reduce project risks and improve efficiency across biofuel production facilities.
Honeywell said combining modular construction with automation can help shorten project timelines while improving production performance and operational efficiency.
