Petrobras has entered into a partnership to study the transformation of fishing waste from the Legal Amazon region into energy. The Cooperation Agreement was signed by President Magda Chambriard at Petrobras headquarters, in downtown Rio, with the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, through FGV Energia, and the SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI Biomassa).
The project aims to propose solutions to reduce critical problems such as water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions caused by the improper disposal of fishing waste. The initiative includes multiple fronts of action, including the extraction of oils for biodiesel production, anaerobic biodigestion for the generation of biogas and biomethane, and the use of by-products for biofertilizers and animal feed.
The initiative also includes the creation of a detailed Atlas on the potential for biogas, biomethane and biodiesel production throughout the Amazon and Brazil, in addition to technical and economic feasibility studies. The project also foresees the possibility of obtaining patents for the processes developed and the creation of new business models, including opportunities with green certificates.
FGV President Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal and Petrobras President Magda Chambriard. Credit: Marcelo Gonzalez
One of the main results will be the outline of the technological arrangement of a modular pilot plant with potential installation on the UFAM campus, serving as a replicable model for other regions. The structure could promote the circular economy by integrating different waste utilization processes. The positive impacts could extend beyond the environmental issue, including increasing the competitiveness of local industry and strengthening riverside communities. There is a special focus on social inclusion, especially of women, who represent a significant part of the workforce in the region's fishing sector.
'We understand that the effort to make Brazil richer, more technologically developed and cleaner is our legacy for future generations. Over the past seven decades, we have been, and we want to continue to be, an active part of the solutions needed to build our country,' said Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard at the partnership signing ceremony.
Strategic partnership
Petrobras also signed, on behalf of the Petrobras Research Center (CENPES), a Memorandum of Understanding with the Brazilian Company for Industrial Research and Innovation (Embrapii), aiming to establish a strategic partnership in the evaluation of Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) opportunities in strategic areas such as renewable energy, digital technologies, sustainability and energy efficiency.
The celebration of this new instrument is justified by the strategic convergence of both institutions in fostering technological innovation in Brazil. Cenpes, as one of the largest energy research centers in the world and the largest in Latin America, and Embrapii, an organization dedicated to fostering innovation and competitiveness in Brazilian industry, share complementary objectives that can generate significant synergies.
Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard and Embrapii CEO Alvaro Prata. Credit: Marcelo Gonzalez
The Circular Economy theme was selected as the pilot for this initiative, which aims to integrate partners such as universities, research institutions and companies to accelerate the development of technologies and innovations for challenges related to the valorization of industrial waste and sustainable decommissioning.
The agreement provides for governance for the joint evaluation and prioritization of R&D&I projects in the various strategic areas. With this partnership, Petrobras and Embrapii seek to contribute to tackling global sustainability issues, with a focus on optimizing the use of natural resources, decarbonization and a fair energy transition.
Created in 2013, Embrapii fosters innovation through partnerships between companies and public and private research institutions.
Source: Petrobras
