Honeywell’s modular Ecofining technology will support Acelen’s Brazil project, accelerating sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel production efficiently.
Honeywell has announced that its advanced modular Ecofining™ technology, along with specialized pumping and compression equipment, integrated automation systems, and safety solutions, will play a crucial role in supporting Acelen Renewables’ new biofuel production facility in Bahia, Brazil. The project represents a significant advancement in the global transition toward cleaner energy solutions by increasing the production capacity of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. Through the implementation of Honeywell’s innovative technologies, the facility aims to produce lower-carbon transportation fuels more efficiently while supporting the rising worldwide demand for renewable alternatives.
As the aviation industry intensifies efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the demand for SAF is expected to grow rapidly, with global consumption projected to approach nearly 500,000 barrels per day over the next decade. To meet this increasing demand, fuel producers are seeking technologies that can accelerate project development, improve production efficiency, and reduce capital investment. Honeywell’s modular approach addresses these challenges by enabling faster installation and commissioning compared with conventional large-scale construction methods. The modular design minimizes project timelines, reduces construction complexity, and lowers overall development costs, allowing renewable fuel producers to bring new capacity online more quickly.
According to Marcelo Cordaro, Chief Operating Officer of Acelen Renewables, the Bahia project demonstrates Brazil’s potential to become a leading producer of next-generation sustainable fuels. He emphasized that the facility is designed to create positive environmental, economic, and social impacts by promoting biodiversity, encouraging sustainable industrial development, and strengthening a renewable-based economy. The collaboration with Honeywell will provide Acelen with advanced process technologies and digital automation capabilities that can optimize plant operations, improve efficiency, and maximize the production of cleaner fuels to satisfy expanding global energy requirements.
Honeywell’s UOP Ecofining technology, developed in collaboration with Eni SpA, is designed to transform renewable feedstocks such as waste fats, used cooking oils, and other waste-based greases into high-quality renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. These fuels offer significant environmental benefits and can lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80% when SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel. The ability to utilize a broad range of waste and low-cost feedstocks also enhances the economic feasibility of renewable fuel production while reducing dependence on traditional fossil-based resources.
Ken West, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Technology, stated that advanced low-carbon processing solutions are essential for helping fuel manufacturers address the growing market demand for renewable energy. He highlighted that improvements in process efficiency, automation, and feedstock flexibility are contributing to lower SAF production costs, which remains a critical factor for increasing the adoption of sustainable fuels across the aviation sector. Continued advancements in technology and the use of alternative feedstocks are expected to further improve the affordability and scalability of renewable fuel manufacturing.
Honeywell brings extensive experience to the project, having successfully delivered more than 1,500 modular process units across various industrial applications globally. The company’s integrated control and safety solutions, built upon the Experion® Process Knowledge System (PKS) platform and supported by Honeywell UOP’s operational expertise, provide enhanced reliability, improved process monitoring, and greater operational efficiency. These digital solutions enable real-time data analysis, predictive insights, and optimized decision-making, helping operators minimize risks and maximize production performance.
Overall, the partnership between Honeywell and Acelen Renewables marks a significant step toward expanding global SAF and renewable diesel capacity. By combining modular process technology, advanced automation, and digital optimization, the Bahia facility is expected to contribute to the broader adoption of sustainable fuels, helping the transportation and aviation sectors progress toward long-term decarbonization goals.
The development of Acelen Renewables’ biofuel facility in Bahia, Brazil, supported by Honeywell’s modular Ecofining technology, is expected to have a positive impact on the global biofuel industry by accelerating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel production. In the short term, the announcement is likely to have a neutral impact on biofuel prices, as new production capacity will require time to become operational. However, in the medium to long term, increased SAF and renewable diesel supply from Brazil could ease existing supply shortages and create slight downward pressure on biofuel prices by improving market availability. Lower production costs achieved through advanced technology and the use of flexible, low-cost waste feedstocks may further support wider adoption of renewable fuels across the aviation and transportation sectors, particularly in Europe, North America, and Asia, where decarbonization policies are driving demand. The project is also expected to strengthen Brazil’s position as a global biofuel supplier and increase competition for producers in the United States and Europe, potentially pressuring higher-cost producers to enhance efficiency. Meanwhile, growing production of SAF and renewable diesel will increase demand for feedstocks such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and vegetable oils, potentially supporting higher feedstock prices. The long-term impact on conventional jet fuel and diesel markets is expected to be slightly bearish as renewable alternatives gradually replace a portion of fossil fuel demand, although the effect on overall crude oil prices is likely to remain limited due to the relatively small share of biofuels in the global energy mix.
