The Porto do Açu and Repsol Sinopec Brasil have signed a technical cooperation agreement aimed at developing decarbonization solutions in the maritime and port sectors. The initiative involves studying technologies that enable the direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and its conversion into low-carbon renewable fuels, with potential applications in shipping and aviation.

 

The proposal includes the installation of a pilot plant with the capacity to capture up to 5,000 tons of CO2 per year and produce about 300 liters of sustainable fuel per day, which can be directly tested and validated on support vessels.

 

The project was selected from among 43 proposals approved in a public call for proposals held by the Brazilian Innovation Agency (Finep) and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), which received a total of 76 applications. The purpose of the call is to promote the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production units for the aviation and naval sectors.

 

The initiative is part of the Porto do Açu’s innovation portfolio, through Cais Açu Lab, and has the technical support of the DAC SI and CO2CHEM projects, led by Repsol Sinopec Brasil. The DAC SI project, developed in partnership with the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), has already commissioned a direct CO2 capture unit with a capacity of 300 tons per year. CO2CHEM involves institutions such as the University of São Paulo (USP), Hytron, and SENAI CETIQT, focusing on the production of renewable fuels from CO2.

 

The agreement signed between the Porto do Açu and Repsol Sinopec Brasil is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which establishes the strategic alignment between the parties involved, ensuring the convergence of goals and joint progress in technological development.

 

With strong involvement from Cais Açu Lab, this partnership stands out as a pioneering initiative on the national scene, combining port infrastructure, scientific expertise, and a focus on innovation to advance toward decarbonization. The project symbolizes an important step in consolidating the Porto do Açu as a benchmark for sustainable energy solutions applied to logistics and transportation.

 

Check it out at: Valor Econômico and PeQ Magazine