Petrobras Greenlights Bio-Jet Fuel Plant at RPBC Refinery

Petrobras' board approved the final investment decision for the RPBC Biorefining project on June 19, the company said. The project will build a dedicated plant to produce bio-jet fuel at the RPBC refinery in São Paulo state. Bio-jet fuel, also known as sustainable aviation fuel, is made from renewable feedstocks such as vegetable oils and animal fats.

The move follows Brazil's broader push for biofuels, including a sustainable aviation fuel mandate under discussion in Congress. Petrobras is the country's largest refiner and has traditionally focused on crude oil processing; the RPBC project would give it a foothold in low-carbon fuel production. The company carries an Alpha Score of 60/100 on AlphaScala, a moderate rating that reflects its energy sector exposure and the risks of large capital projects. (See the PBR stock page for the full profile.)

Petrobras did not disclose the project's capacity or capital spending. The company also did not provide a construction timeline. The FID allows the company to proceed with basic engineering and procurement, which typically precedes construction by 18 to 24 months for such projects. The RPBC refinery is one of Petrobras' major refining assets; adding a biorefining unit there could reduce the refinery's overall carbon intensity, though the company did not provide specific targets.

The project must still clear environmental licensing and other regulatory hurdles before Petrobras can order major equipment. No date has been set for a final construction go-ahead.