Brazilian Alliance for Aviation Biofuels
The Brazilian Alliance for Aviation Biofuels (Aliança Brasileira para Biocombustíveis de Aviação – ABRABA) was created in May 2010, with the objective of promoting public and private initiatives seeking development of sustainable aviation biofuels with positive carbon lifecycle and certification according to local and international fuel standards.
Founding members of ABRABA include members from aviation, fuel technology and agricultural backgrounds: Algae Biotecnologia; Amyris Brasil; Brazilian Association of Jatropha Growers; Aerospace Industries Association of Brazil; Azul Linhas Aéreas; Curcas Diesel Brasil; Embraer; GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes; TAM Linhas Aéreas; TRIP Linhas Aéreas; and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA).
ABRABA will act as a flagship institution integrating the efforts of different players and will support the use of sustainable biofuels as one of the key growth factors for the aviation industry in a low carbon economy. Integrating the Brazilian renewable fuel experience and capability with aeronautical technology expertise, it will foster further economic and social development, as well as significant contribution to environmental protection.
ABRABA’s main goals are to:
- support the implementation of a legal framework for aviation biofuel production and criteria for certification in Brazil;
- support sustainable multi-feedstock programmes and new technology routes for their competitive processing into biofuel;
- recommend agricultural programmes for the selected alternatives to meet the sustainable feedstock demand of airlines and the aviation industry by 2050;
- evaluate existing and potential technology routes for transformation of biomass into alternative aviation fuels;
- support the definition of alternative fuels certification criteria, and the development of Brazilian technical capability and laboratory infrastructure;
- develop adequate financing mechanisms for every step of the value chain;
- propose adequate fiscal incentives for the development, certification and commercialisation of alternative aviation fuels in Brazil, similar to existing biodiesel incentives;
- monitor and follow international initiatives to stimulate interchange of activities and information; and
- disseminate the technological developments achieved and its benefits for applications other than aviation.