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With An Investment of R$ 5 Billion, the City Will House A Pioneering Biojet Fuel and Renewable Diesel Plant. The Project Will Generate 4 Thousand Jobs and Strengthen the City’s Role in the Production of Clean Fuels. Aligned with the Paris Agreement, the Initiative Symbolizes An Important Step Toward the Energy Transition.
As the world moves toward sustainable solutions, a Brazilian city prepares to experience a true economic and environmental revolution.
Cubatão, known as the industrial hub of Baixada Santista, was chosen to house one of the largest biofuel projects in the country. And the impact of this enterprise promises to be immense.
Cubatão Will Be The Site Of A New Refinery
The mayor of Cubatão, César Nascimento, enthusiastically announced the arrival of a pioneering unit at the Presidente Bernardes Refinery (RPBC).
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Supermarkets want to create hourly employment in Brazil to compensate for the end of the 6×1 shift system, and the proposal has already been submitted to the Minister of Labor by the sector.
This new plant will be dedicated exclusively to the production of aviation biojet fuel (BioQAV) and 100% renewable diesel (Diesel R).
The project is considered the largest investment in the refinery in four decades, involving more than R$ 5 billion.
According to information released by the “Diário do Litoral,” the enterprise will create around 4 thousand jobs during its construction phase.
An agreement signed between local political leaders, Petrobras, and the Union of Workers in the Construction and Furniture Industries of Baixada Santista (Sintracomos) ensures that at least 75% of these positions will be allocated to residents of the region.
Jobs and Economic Impact
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first two months of 2024 and will double the number of workers at RPBC.
Currently, the refinery employs approximately 800 professionals directly and has 3 thousand outsourced workers.
This increase in the workforce is expected to transform the economic dynamics of Cubatão and neighboring cities, boosting various sectors such as commerce and services.
According to Nascimento, this initiative is the result of a solid relationship between Petrobras and the municipal administration.
He emphasized that the project represents not only economic advancements but also positions Cubatão at the forefront of clean fuel production.
Sustainability Strategy
The new RPBC unit will have a capacity to process 800 thousand tons of vegetable oils annually, producing about 6 thousand barrels of aviation biojet fuel and another 6 thousand barrels of renewable diesel daily.
These fuels have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fossil fuels.
The project is part of Petrobras’ BioRefining Program, which has one of its pillars focused on combating climate emergency.
The initiative is aligned with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which sets strict targets for the adoption of sustainable fuels by airlines starting in 2027.
These measures are part of the Paris Agreement, signed during COP21, which aims to mitigate global climate change.
Green Ammonia and Diversification
Another highlight in Cubatão is the production of green ammonia, made from the biomass byproduct of sugarcane in partnership with Yara, a leading agricultural solutions company.
This project reinforces the city’s commitment to diversifying energy sources and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
Investment in Infrastructure and Challenges
The total investment in the project is estimated at US$ 600 million (about R$ 3.6 billion) and is expected to last 36 months.
Despite the advancements, the mayor acknowledged that the city was not chosen to host the future hydrogen hub planned by Petrobras in the state of São Paulo.
According to him, the decision was made based on technical criteria and does not compromise the relationship with the state-owned company, which continues to invest heavily in the region.
Climate Emergency and Future of Energy
With the production of sustainable fuels and the expansion of RPBC’s infrastructure, Cubatão positions itself as one of the main energy innovation hubs in Brazil.
The initiatives not only create jobs and boost the local economy but also significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
The question remains: what else does the future hold for Cubatão in the global energy transition scenario? Share your opinion in the comments!
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