Acelen Renewables and Bunge have signed a landmark five-year agreement to supply certified soybean oil for one of Brazil’s most ambitious renewable fuel projects, strengthening the country’s position in the global low-carbon energy market.

 

Under the agreement, Bunge will supply Acelen Renewables with 300,000 metric tons of certified soybean oil annually, totaling more than 1 million metric tons over the contract period. Starting in 2029, when Acelen Renewables’ integrated biorefinery in Bahia is expected to begin operations, the feedstock will be used to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (HVO).

 

The deal marks the largest soybean oil supply agreement ever signed by Bunge in Brazil and supports the development of the first large-scale SAF and HVO production project in South America. 

 

The supply chain may include soybean oil sourced from Brazil and Argentina and is expected to meet certification requirements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), reinforcing traceability and compliance with international sustainability standards.

 

The agreement arrives as demand for low-carbon fuels accelerates worldwide, driven by airlines, governments, and global organizations seeking to reduce emissions. 

 

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is considered a key solution for decarbonizing aviation, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimating that SAF could contribute around 65% of the emissions reductions needed for the sector to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

 

For Acelen Renewables, the partnership represents a major step in building a secure and diversified feedstock platform for its future biorefinery.

 

“This agreement reinforces Acelen Renewables’ strategy of developing a robust supply chain, securing part of the certified feedstock required to support biorefinery operations and enable large-scale renewable fuel production in Brazil. 

 

"Access to certified feedstocks is essential to ensuring competitiveness, traceability, and operational reliability at the biorefinery. It also expands the availability of low-carbon fuels for both domestic and international markets,” said Cristiano da Costa, Vice President of Commercial and Trading at Acelen Renewables.

 

Acelen Renewables’ strategy is built around a diversified portfolio of renewable raw materials. Alongside certified soybean oil, the company has already secured agreements for used cooking oil (UCO) supplies and is developing a structured macaúba production chain, which will serve as a long-term foundation for its renewable fuels strategy.

 

The partnership also aligns with Bunge’s sustainability initiatives across the agricultural supply chain. The company has invested in traceability, regenerative agriculture, and solutions designed to increase the availability of certified feedstocks while reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture.

 

“By integrating demand and supply for low-carbon products, we connect the entire value chain to invest alongside farmers in building a higher-value regenerative agriculture model. We act as a facilitator, bridging financing partners and on-the-ground agricultural realities, helping to support the future of agriculture as sustainable, profitable, and scalable,” said Tito Martinho, Commercial Director at Bunge.