Brazil's ethanol sector expands into aviation and maritime markets

Brazil's ethanol sector is undergoing a period of expansion and diversification. Raízen, a major producer formed by a 2011 joint venture between Cosan and Shell, processed 70.5 million tons of sugarcane during the 2025/26 campaign. This production resulted in 4.8 million tons of sugar and 2,576 million liters of ethanol across 24 agro-industrial units.

Beyond traditional vehicle use, new demand is emerging from the agricultural, aviation, and maritime sectors. Developments include ethanol-powered tractors and harvesters, as well as the potential for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and marine bunker fuel. The Local Productive Arrangement for Alcohol (APLA) is working to promote these Brazilian energy technologies in international markets to support global decarbonization efforts.