Brazil approves major financing for Ferbasa charcoal unit and JBS biometane expansion

The National Development Bank (BNDES) approved a R$ 43.8 million loan to Ferbasa for a new charcoal‑production unit in Maracás, Bahia. The plant, aimed at reducing methane emissions, will produce 20,000 tonnes of low‑methane charcoal per year for the company’s steelworks and is expected to create 97 direct and indirect jobs. About R$ 35 million of the funding comes from the Climate Fund, covering 98 % of the project’s total cost of R$ 44.4 million.

Separately, JBS and its affiliate Amber Energia announced a R$ 65 million investment to expand biometane production at Friboi facilities in Campo Grande II (MS), Lins (SP) and Andradina (SP). The expansion will add more than 14 million cubic metres of biometane annually, replacing fossil fuels and providing renewable electricity equivalent to the needs of roughly 7,000 homes. Since 2021 the biodigestion programme has avoided the emission of over 263 000 tonnes of CO₂‑equivalent and generated over 13 000 MWh of renewable energy.