Brazil expects to conclude tests in March to evaluate raising the mandatory biodiesel blend in diesel to 20%, known as B20. Marlon Arraes, head of biofuels at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, told Reuters that approval could come in May or October.
Testing and funding
The tests are expected to draw on private funds and an additional 30 million reais from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT), according to the plan described to Reuters. The programme is set to use 11 mechanical laboratories, five physico-chemical laboratories and six test benches.
The current mandatory blend is 15 percent. The government wants a 16 percent blend, B16, approved by year-end.
Ethanol and the wider policy
A separate proposal would raise the anhydrous ethanol blend in gasoline to 32 percent, from 30 percent today. That proposal has passed feasibility tests and awaits a decision from the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), with no date set.
The Future Fuel Law provides for annual increases of one percentage point in the biodiesel blend, allowing a 20 percent blend by 2030. Approval of B20 would let the CNPE weigh further increases.
Source: Ministry of Mines and Energy
