Petrobras-controlled Riograndense refinery successfully conclude tests to produce fuels from eucalyptus biomass in Brazil's southern Rio Grande do Sul state.
The refinery used a bio-oil from eucalyptus biomass and converted it in fractions of fuel gas, LPG, components to produce gasoline and marine fuel with renewable content and others.
The bio-oil came from industrial company Vallourec's forest unit in southeastern Minas Gerais state.
The test reveals the possibility of using wood and other forestry residues as feedstocks for products usually coming from a fossil origin, said Petrobras's technology, engineer and innovation director Renata Baruzzi.
Petrobras intends to transform Riograndense refinery into the first oil plant to produce 100pc renewable fuels in the world, according to Petrobras' chief executive Magda Chambriard.
The efforts are part of Petrobras' BioRefino program, which will invest almost $1.5bn to generate sustainable fuels as of 2029.
Riograndense refinery is also controlled by Brazilian companies Ultra Group and Braskem petrochemical.
