Sustainable Fuel Processes
Brazil Supports Efforts in Low-Carbon Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Debra John — April 6, 2026
Low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is being supported in Brazil through the expansion of ethanol production using second-crop corn. Research published in Agricultural Economics shows that increasing demand for ethanol, partly driven by SAF markets, can be met without significantly expanding farmland. Instead, Brazil uses a double-cropping system, where corn is grown after soybeans on the same land within the same year.
This method allows farmers to produce more crops from existing agricultural land, reducing the need to clear new areas. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions linked to land-use change are significantly lower compared to traditional expansion methods.
The study highlights that this approach can reduce land-use impacts from about 40 thousand hectares per billion liters of ethanol to around 7 thousand hectares. Overall, Brazil’s system demonstrates a more sustainable way to scale fuel production while limiting environmental impact and supporting cleaner aviation energy solutions.
