Petrobras and Embrapa sign cooperation agreement

The partnership involves the development by Petrobras of technological solutions and the implementation of industrial units for the production of biofuels and bio-products. In return, Embrapa develops a protocol for low-carbon agricultural crops, such as soybeans, involving rational agricultural techniques, such as the certification protocol for this crop.

The cooperation agreement also includes the development of alternative crops to soybeans, such as macaúba, off-season and intercropped crops, such as off-season corn, carinata (a type of oilseed), among other options that reflect the range of options for agri-energy in the different biomes and production systems in the country.

“Diversification and access to raw materials with sustainability, quality and adequate cost are fundamental to the success of these initiatives, such as biofuels. In addition, the company is interested in offering fertilizer products to increase availability in the domestic market, as well as meet the goals of the National Fertilizer Plan. Embrapa has the necessary expertise to help leverage all of these fronts,” said Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard.

“For Embrapa, the resumption of the partnership with Petrobras is strategic to enhance its contributions to rural producers and to national and international public policies, especially in bio-economy and sustainable development,” said Silvia Massruhá, CEO of the company. She recalled that, in 2023, Brazil reached the milestone of 100 million Decarbonisation Credits (CBIOS) issued, which will result in up to R$1.2 trillion, between investments and savings over the next ten years. “This was possible thanks to Renovacalc, a tool developed by Embrapa and fundamental in the National Biofuels Policy (RenovaBio), conducted by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP),” reported Massruhá.

Fertilizers: promoting new products

In the fertilizer sector, the goal is to promote the development of new products and their insertion in the agribusiness market. Among these, we can highlight new fertilizers based on urea with higher added value, mixed fertilizers, fertilizers with differentiated granulometry and new sustainable inputs with lower environmental impact. These initiatives aim to pave the way for Petrobras' business recovery and prepare the company for a decarbonised future. Embrapa is an important partner in both the development and the proof of the agronomic efficiency of these products. With this, the company aims to make it possible for farmers to offer and use these innovations, providing fertilizers adapted to the country's crops and soils, which will allow for higher-yield harvests for Brazil.

“This partnership includes topics such as biomethane and biogas, in the context of the Sector Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change and Low Carbon Emissions in Agriculture, as well as the formation of research and development networks for more sustainable raw materials,” revealed Silvia Massruhá.

“We believe that technical and scientific data will be extremely important in the development of new products for the fertilizer market. Petrobras is committed to developing new solutions to serve this sector that is so strategic for Brazil,” said Chambriard.

Investment in fertilizers has once again become part of Petrobras’ port-folio, according to the Strategic Plan (PE) 2024 – 2028. The company announced in August the resumption of activities at the Araucária Nitrogenados SA (ANSA) fertilizer factory in Araucária (PR), and with this it begins its operation for the production of urea, ARLA 32 (Automotive Liquid Reducing Agent) and Ammonia in the national territory in 1H25.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/project-news/13092024/petrobras-and-embrapa-sign-cooperation-agreement/