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Scientific Research and Strategic Partnerships Accelerate the Use of Macaúba as a Sustainable Alternative to Soybean Oil in Renewable Fuel Generation
Thanks to scientific advances and the use of innovative technologies, the macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata), a native palm of Brazil, has been gaining prominence. As a result, it is beginning to solidify as a promising source of biofuels in the Northeast. Although still cultivated in the wild, this plant has an oil yield up to ten times higher than soybeans, the current benchmark in the sector.
Since 2023, Acelen Renováveis and the State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes) have been investing in research to overcome the barriers of macaúba germination. As a result, they developed a new physiological protocol that eliminated scarification and increased the germination rate to over 50%.
The system uses temperature and humidity control, ensuring uniformity and greater efficiency in the process. With the support of a specialized team, the seedlings became healthier, more vigorous, and with lower contamination, reducing costs and time.
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Bahia Leads with Industrial Plant Focused on Biofuel
The first industrial plant is under construction in Bahia. It is expected to produce, starting in 2025, about 1 billion liters of renewable fuels per year.
The cultivation will take place on degraded pasture areas, without competing with food production, which meets the socio-environmental criteria required by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The project takes advantage of the semi-arid climate and the available infrastructure in the region.
Each hectare supports up to 400 plants, requiring little irrigation and providing biannual harvests using mechanized platforms. The entire process, from germination to harvest, is carried out with techniques that reduce environmental impact and increase productivity.
According to Acelen, the planting will be distributed across municipalities such as Barreiras, Correntina, Luís Eduardo Magalhães, and Caetité in Bahia. Additionally, there will be cultivation in areas of Northern and Northwestern Minas Gerais, such as the Jequitinhonha and São Francisco valleys.
Technological Center in Montes Claros Begins Industrial-Scale Extraction
In February 2025, Acelen announced the first industrial extraction of macaúba oil in a continuous flow. The process was carried out at the Agroindustry Technological Innovation Center in Montes Claros.
The exclusive technology, developed internally and with partners, enabled advancement by expanding production beyond laboratory tests.
With a total investment of R$314 million, of which R$258 million is financed by BNDES, the inauguration of the park is scheduled for the end of the first half of 2025.
The expectation is that the project will reach full maturity between 15 and 20 years.
The refinery in the Industrial Pole will extract the oil and send it to another unit, which will transform it into renewable diesel (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Northeast Expands Its Participation in the National Energy Sector
The prominence of the Northeast in biofuel production is growing. Data from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) reveal that in 2023, the region accounted for approximately 18% of the national biodiesel production.
Bahia, in particular, produced over 850 million liters and consolidated itself as the third largest hub in the country. Additionally, the cultivation of oilseeds for bioenergy in the Northeast increased by 9.8% in 2023, according to information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
With the incorporation of macaúba into the productive chain, the expectation is to further enhance this performance. Small producers will drive this movement, as they will dedicate about 20% of the 180,000 hectares projected for planting to family agriculture.
The new germination protocol not only improves production indices but also establishes a new standard of sustainability for the energy sector.
Job Creation and Stimulus to the Regional Economy
The social and economic impact of expanding macaúba cultivation is also significant. According to a study by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), it is estimated that 85,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created, in addition to generating US$40 billion throughout the project.
The strategy includes technical training for farmers, partnerships with local cooperatives, and encouragement for the development of an integrated supply chain. The biofuels produced will be drop-in types, potentially reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 80%, while promoting carbon sequestration by the plantations.
With all these initiatives, macaúba is no longer just a native plant. It transforms into a central agent of a new phase in the Brazilian energy transition, uniting technological innovation, regional development, and environmental preservation.
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