This is a greenfield project — building a production facility from scratch. It is designed to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, and could become one of the largest facilities of its kind worldwide. According to industry estimates, global demand for SAF could approach 500,000 barrels per day over the next decade. As airlines and governments intensify efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, deploying Honeywell’s ready-made technological solutions should help accelerate the launch of new capacity while keeping construction costs and timelines under control.
A key feature of the project is its modular approach. Instead of building everything on-site, the process units are assembled and tested at factories as ready-to-use modules, then shipped and installed in Bahia. This method significantly shortens construction timelines, reduces capital expenditures, and speeds up the plant’s entry into operation.
For Brazil, with its vast agricultural potential, the project holds strategic importance and supports the country’s ambition to become a global leader in renewable energy. As Marcelo Cordaro, Chief Operating Officer of Acelen Renewables, noted, the new plant in Bahia is intended to both preserve biodiversity and foster a sustainable economy in the region.
The production process will rely on Ecofining technology, developed by Honeywell UOP in partnership with Italian energy company Eni SpA. This process converts waste fats, vegetable oils, and other biological residues into high-quality, low-carbon fuel. Additionally, the plant plans to use locally sourced macaúba oil, grown on degraded land, which avoids competition with food crops. According to the developers, blending SAF with conventional jet fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.
Beyond the process units, Honeywell will supply pumping and compression equipment, as well as integrated control and industrial safety systems. The entire digital infrastructure of the complex will be built on the Experion PKS platform, which consolidates production management, safety systems, and predictive analytics tools. This will improve operational efficiency and reduce risks.
As Ken West, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Solutions, pointed out, the combination of automation and modular solutions is becoming a critical factor in lowering the cost of green fuel—without which its widespread adoption in global aviation would be difficult.
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