Brazil embarks on biodiesel

In an effort to complement its world-leading ethanol production, Brazil is looking to embrace biodiesel and meet a goal of producing 855 million liters per year by 2011. To do so, Petroleum Brasil (more commonly known as Petrobras), the state-owned oil company, is looking to build 15 new biodiesel plants in several different regions of the country. Petrobras stated it has already received environmental authorization to build three.

Brazil's push for biodiesel comes in the form of legislation as well. The South American country has implemented a mandate to mix two percent biodiesel to its petroleum-based diesel fuel by 2008. In 2013, this is set to increase to five percent, though, the government is conducting studies to move that up to 2010.

[Source: Platts]