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Supergasbras expands sustainable fleet with ethanol and biogas pilot projects, reinforcing energy transition and operational efficiency.
On September 15, 2023, Supergasbras took a bold step towards sustainability process by announcing the inclusion of cleaner fuels in its fleet. The company has embraced the mission of making its operations more sustainable by integrating innovations that boost its efficiency. In 2023, the adoption of ethanol in light vehicles was highlighted as one of the main moves to achieve this goal. In addition, the company has started testing with biogas, promoting a significant reduction of carbon emissions and intensifying its performance in the energy transition.
Supergasbras is determined not only to adopt sustainable practices, but also to lead the way in the transition to healthier alternatives for the environment. By the end of 2023, new projects are underway, such as the development of fuels with a lower environmental impact for heavy vehicles. This initiative reinforces its commitment to diversifying its solutions, aligning with international sustainability standards. The company seeks innovative production methods to ensure that its energy transition is efficient and aligned with sustainability principles.
On the Path to Operational Excellence and Sustainability
With each project, Supergasbras moves closer to a future where sustainability is a central pillar. The biogas pilot projects, which began in August 2023, are a notable example of how companies can adopt innovative practices on their journey towards sustainability. These projects focus on production methods that prioritize efficiency and low environmental impact, enabling an effective and viable transition.
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Another significant milestone was reached in October 2023, when Supergasbras committed to expanding its sustainable fleet, focusing on continuous improvements in operational processes. This move not only highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability, but also sends a powerful message about the importance of a more sustainable future. The company has shown how it is possible to evolve towards sustainable systems without compromising efficiency.
The relentless pursuit of sustainable solutions and energy transition remains at the heart of Supergasbras’ strategies. In all projects, the company emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices, tackling environmental problems and paving the way for innovations that inspire the sector. Supergasbras continues to encourage other companies to follow suit, thus promoting a true sustainable revolution.
Innovations and Inspiration: The Impact of Sustainability on the Energy Sector
Expanded Use of Sustainable Fuels
The company already makes use of fuels with lower environmental impact and continues to expand initiatives that reduce CO₂ emissions in its logistics operations. By focusing on ethanol for more than 600 light vehicles, including compact models and SUVs, the organization has managed to ensure that 98,4% of all fueling of these vehicles is carried out with this renewable fuel. Ethanol, extracted from sugarcane, can be up to 90% more sustainable than gasoline, depending on the production method and the agricultural practices adopted for its manufacture and cultivation.
Since 2021, when this important transition was adopted, the company has already prevented the release of 8.030 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. If vehicles used exclusively gasoline, CO₂ emissions would be at least 8% higher annually, according to Priscila Maziero, Biofuels and Sustainability Manager at Supergasbras.
Improvements and New Goals for Sustainability
'The expectation for the future is to ensure that the supply rate exceeds 99,5% from 2025 onwards', estimates Maziero. In August 2024, a pilot project involving four trucks powered by a combination of diesel and biogas. Two of these are used to transport bottled LPG and two to transport bulk. These units currently account for 0,6% of the company’s heavy-duty fleet, and preliminary results show an average saving of 15% in fuel consumption, in addition to projecting a reduction of between 15% and 30% in CO₂ emissions for each truck.
Low Carbon Technology Expansion
“If viable, the technology will be expanded to 10 more trucks by 2025, increasing this solution to 2% of the heavy fleet,” Maziero points out. However, the availability of biogas at stations is still an obstacle to large-scale adoption. With this challenge in mind, the company continues to evaluate different fuel technologies to make operations increasingly sustainable and ethical.
For Claudio Azevedo dos Santos, Deputy Supply Chain Director at Supergasbras, a transition to a more sustainable fleet is essential to reduce environmental impact and improve operational efficiency. Such initiatives emphasize the commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensuring alignment with best practices and contributing to a more sustainable and low-carbon future.
Pioneering Sustainable Practices
The introduction of the diesel/biogas truck took place just a year and a half after the company launched the world's first electric truck for transporting bulk LPG. In two years, this technology has already generated an average reduction of 2 tons of CO₂ per month, in addition to providing benefits such as lower maintenance costs compared to traditional diesel vehicles. In 2025, the electric fleet will be reinforced with the addition of new trucks, which will replace part of the vehicles in the direct sales channel. With this, the operation carried out by electric vehicles will reach 39%, representing 8% of the total heavy-duty fleet.
By investing in an increasingly sustainable fleet and in logistics efficiency, Supergasbras has managed to avoid the emission of more than 3.700 tons of CO₂ since 2021, preventing an 18% increase in emissions. In addition to the positive environmental impacts, the transition to sustainable vehicles offers significant operational gains, with an estimated total cost reduction of 24% per truck, considering lower expenses on diesel, maintenance and vehicle rental.
Sustainable Strategy in the LPG Market
'In the LPG sector, these actions are of strategic importance in creating a more efficient and sustainable value chain. Although LPG is already one of the fossil fuels with the lowest environmental impact, its future development depends both on the advancement of even more sustainable variants and on the logistical modernization to keep up with this. energy transition', concludes Priscila.
Source: © pamella.lima@approach.com.br
