- JBS Foods is converting 1.2 million tons of beef tallow and pork lard into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aiming to reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% and offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels in aviation.
- JBS’s subsidiary Friboi is investigating the use of animal byproducts for aviation fuel, while Biopower explores renewable fuels for ships, contributing to Brazil’s broader focus on reducing emissions from transportation.
- In 2023, JBS began using 100% biodiesel (B100) for its lorry fleet, with successful trials showing significant emission reductions. The company also operates dedicated B100 dispensing pumps in São Paulo, supporting Brazil’s increased biodiesel content in diesel.
Brazilian meat processing giant JBS Foods uses animal byproducts to create aircraft fuel. This initiative aims to cut carbon emissions in aviation. The company sources materials from its United States, Canada, and Australia plants.
JBS has turned 1.2 million tons of beef tallow and pork lard into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the past two years. This process, known as “cow power,” converts animal waste into fuel. SAF can cut carbon emissions by up to 70% and can be mixed with traditional kerosene for use in commercial jets.
Jason Weller, JBS’s Global Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasised the importance of this project. He said, “The aviation sector has struggled with decarbonisation due to its reliance on fossil fuels. By repurposing animal waste, we help the environment and the aviation sector in its decarbonisation efforts.”
The need for such solutions is straightforward. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), aviation-related CO₂ emissions have grown by 2.6% annually over the past 25 years. Commercial aviation now accounts for about 5% of global climate emissions.
In Brazil, Friboi, a JBS subsidiary, is studying the use of animal byproducts for aviation fuel. JBS’s Biopower division is also exploring renewable fuel production for ships. This would offer an alternative to bunker oil, a typical maritime fuel.
Biopower is one of Brazil’s top biodiesel producers. It uses organic waste from cattle processing to make fuel. This biodiesel emits 80% less CO₂ than traditional diesel. Biopower operates plants in Mafra (Santa Catarina state), Lins (São Paulo state), and Campo Verde (Mato Grosso state).
In 2023, JBS began a project to run its lorry fleet on 100% biodiesel (B100). A lorry from Dutch manufacturer DAF has already travelled over 120,000 kilometres on B100. This shows B100’s effectiveness as a diesel substitute, with up to 80% lower CO₂ emissions.
These trials align with Brazil’s growing focus on biofuels in transportation. Since March 1, 2024, the biodiesel content in diesel sold in Brazil has increased to 14%. JBS was the first company in Brazil to get approval from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) to use 100% biodiesel in its fleet. The Lins industrial complex in São Paulo now features a dedicated point with two B100 pumps capable of dispensing 30,000 litres of fuel.