Alfa Laval secured its largest-ever contract to supply HVO technology for Acelen’s Brazilian biorefinery, supporting expanded sustainable aviation fuel production by 2029.
Alfa Laval has strengthened its position in the global renewable energy sector by securing its largest contract to date, valued at approximately SEK 1.1 billion (EUR 102 million). The agreement involves supplying advanced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) pre-treatment technology for Acelen’s upcoming biorefinery in Brazil, reinforcing Alfa Laval’s long-term commitment to supporting the global transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The project will be executed in multiple phases, with deliveries continuing until the refinery is completed, which is expected in 2029.
The landmark contract represents a major milestone for Alfa Laval and highlights the increasing demand for innovative technologies that enable the production of renewable fuels. As governments and industries worldwide intensify efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, biofuels are becoming an increasingly important part of the global energy mix. These fuels provide a viable alternative to conventional fossil fuels and are expected to play a crucial role in reducing emissions across sectors that are difficult to electrify, including aviation, maritime transport, and heavy industrial operations.
Alfa Laval has built a strong presence in the biofuels industry over the years, with its technologies currently operating in hundreds of biofuel production facilities across the world. The company’s equipment and process solutions help producers maximize product yields, improve operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. By continuously investing in advanced engineering solutions, Alfa Laval has established itself as a trusted technology partner for companies seeking to expand renewable fuel production.
As part of the agreement with Acelen, Alfa Laval will supply its proven HVO pre-treatment systems, which are essential for preparing renewable feedstocks before they undergo hydroprocessing. The supplied package includes high-performance heat exchangers, separators, and a range of engineered process components that will support every stage of feedstock pre-treatment. These technologies are designed to improve feedstock quality, increase process reliability, and enhance overall production efficiency.
The new Brazilian biorefinery is expected to begin commercial operations in 2029 and has been designed to produce more than 17,230 barrels per day of renewable fuels, with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) forming the majority of its output. The refinery will employ Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil technology to convert multiple renewable feedstocks into high-quality fuels. Planned feedstocks include soybean oil, used cooking oil (UCO), and macaúba, a native Brazilian palm species recognized for its significant potential as a sustainable biofuel feedstock due to its high oil yield and favorable environmental characteristics.
Tom Erixon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alfa Laval, emphasized that new investments in biofuel production are essential for expanding renewable fuel availability while improving global energy security. He noted that the company remains committed to supporting the industry's growth by supplying reliable and efficient technologies that enable customers to produce cleaner fuels more sustainably. According to Erixon, the record-breaking contract reflects both the growing importance of renewable fuels and the confidence customers place in Alfa Laval’s process technologies.
Brazil has emerged as one of the world's leading biofuel producers through decades of consistent government support and forward-looking energy policies. The country’s long-standing investment in renewable fuels has created a favorable environment for innovative projects such as Acelen’s new biorefinery. The project is expected to further strengthen Brazil’s position in sustainable fuel production while supporting international efforts to decarbonize transportation.
Within the refinery, Alfa Laval’s process solutions will be integrated throughout multiple stages of production. The company’s equipment will initially be used in the clarification process to remove solid impurities from used cooking oil. It will also provide systems for degumming and adsorption, ensuring contaminants are efficiently removed before hydroprocessing. In addition, Alfa Laval will supply wastewater treatment technologies that improve environmental performance while increasing the overall profitability and sustainability of refinery operations.
Beyond this project, Alfa Laval offers one of the industry's most comprehensive portfolios of biofuel technologies. Its capabilities span the entire production chain, including feedstock pre-treatment, fermentation, separation, purification, heat transfer, and energy recovery. This broad technology platform enables the company to support biofuel producers in improving operational performance while helping accelerate the global transition toward low-carbon energy systems. The record contract with Acelen further reinforces Alfa Laval’s strategic role in expanding renewable fuel infrastructure and advancing sustainable industrial development worldwide.
Impact on Products and Chemical Commodity Prices
Alfa Laval’s record contract to supply Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) pre-treatment technology for Acelen’s Brazilian biorefinery is expected to strengthen the long-term supply outlook for renewable fuels, particularly Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. The project will increase demand for bio-based feedstocks such as soybean oil, used cooking oil (UCO), and macaúba oil during the construction and commissioning phases, supporting upstream agricultural and waste-oil markets. For chemical commodities tracked by ChemAnalyst, demand for vegetable oils, process chemicals, and industrial equipment-related materials is likely to remain firm. However, because the refinery is scheduled to begin operations in 2029, the immediate impact on commodity prices is expected to be limited. Over the medium to long term, increased biofuel production capacity could tighten supplies of renewable feedstocks, lending upward pressure to soybean oil and UCO prices. Conversely, greater SAF and renewable diesel availability may gradually improve market supply, moderating renewable fuel prices as production scales up.
