São Paulo Set for Record Biomethane Production, Targeting 1 Million Cubic Meters Daily

After the Brazilian federal government published on May 6 the Resolution 4/2026 of the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), which sets an annual targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the state of São Paulo is on track to reach a record installed production capacity of 1 million cubic meters of biomethane per day by the end of 2026, enough to supply all 2.8 million residential gas connections in the state, officials said.

The volume, equivalent to replacing approximately 4,000 diesel-powered urban buses, marks a major milestone in Brazil’s energy transition. São Paulo currently hosts nine of the 19 biomethane plants operating nationwide, with another 11 units awaiting authorization.

"We are preparing to reach the record mark of approximately one million cubic meters per day by December," Marisa Barros, Undersecretary for Energy and Mining at the State Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure, and Logistics (Semil), told an industry event last week.

DECARBONIZING LOGISTICS

The surge in biomethane — a renewable gas produced from agricultural and landfill waste — is central to São Paulo’s strategy to hit net-zero emissions by 2050. Heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, are primary targets for conversion to the renewable fuel, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% compared to diesel.

In the city of São Paulo, the "BioSP" program is already testing biomethane-powered buses to bypass infrastructure bottlenecks currently hindering electric vehicle adoption.

CORPORATE ADOPTION

Major industries are already integrating the fuel into their operations:

• Natura: The cosmetics giant uses biomethane to power 45% of its industrial processes and 100% of its logistics fleet between its Cajamar factory and Greater São Paulo.
• Aviation Sector: Projects are underway to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from biogas derived from sugarcane waste, supported by international partnerships with institutions like Sweden’s Swedfund.

REGULATORY MOMENTUM

The National Petroleum Agency (ANP) has streamlined authorization processes to align with Brazil’s "Fuel of the Future" law. "We noticed a significant increase in requests for new industrial plants, driven by recent federal and state incentives," said Marcos Werner, a superintendent at the ANP.

Beyond São Paulo, other states are also advancing:

• Santa Catarina: H2A Bioenergia recently received authorization for the country’s first biomethane plant using swine waste.
• Rio Grande do Sul: State distributor Sulgás launched the "BioHub" to connect remote producers to the existing gas grid, aiming to diversify the state’s energy portfolio and reduce reliance on external sources like Bolivia or offshore pre-salt gas.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

The expansion of biomethane is being framed as an economic opportunity for small farmers and agribusinesses to monetize organic waste. State environmental agency Cetesb has modernized its licensing procedures, reducing approval times to as little as 60 days to accelerate the transition.

"Biomethane is a strategic pillar in decarbonization," said Allan Cellim da Silva of Cetesb. "It integrates the biofuel into the circular economy while ensuring a secure and agile transition for the industry."

Petrobras (PETR3; PETR4) Aims for Brazil's Diesel Self-Sufficiency by 2030 with $6.4 Billion Investment

State-run oil giant Petrobras committed on Monday to making Brazil self-sufficient in diesel production by 2030, announcing 37 billion reais ($6.4 billion) in investments for São Paulo state through the end of the decade.

The announcement, made by Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard, marks a significant shift in the company’s strategic ambition, moving from an original target of 85% domestic diesel coverage to a goal of 100%.

"We have committed to President Lula to be self-sufficient in diesel in this country by 2030," Chambriard told reporters during an event at the Replan refinery, Brazil’s largest processing unit.

ENERGY SECURITY PUSH

The push for self-sufficiency comes amid heightened global geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict involving the United States and Iran, which has spiked concerns over global energy supply chains and price volatility.

"In this troubled moment of war... concerns regarding our country's energy security are exacerbated," Chambriard said. "Every country is discussing its energy security, and Brazil is no exception."

Petrobras currently supplies approximately 75% of Brazil’s diesel. The company plans to increase its refining capacity to bridge the remaining gap, reducing the country’s vulnerability to international price swings and import dependencies.

REFINING HUB

São Paulo state, which handles half of Petrobras’ total refining and 40% of Brazil’s fuel consumption, will be the heart of this expansion.

• Refining Investment: 17 billion reais will be allocated to refining projects.
• Replan Focus: 6 billion reais will go to the Replan refinery in Paulínia to expand its processing capacity by 63,000 barrels per day, specifically targeting high-value S10 diesel.
• Broader Network: An additional 11 billion reais will be invested across the Revap, RPBC, and Recap refineries.

The CEO noted that increased diesel production will naturally boost gasoline output, further improving domestic fuel availability.

OFFSHORE AND RENEWABLES

Beyond refining, Petrobras will invest 9 billion reais in offshore exploration and production in São Paulo’s pre-salt fields, including the new "Arã" area and upgrades to the Sapinhoá and Mexilhão fields. The investment package also includes:

• Port of Santos: 3.3 billion reais to expand the water terminal and storage capacity.
• Energy Transition: Projects for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using recycled cooking oil and a new photovoltaic plant for Replan’s internal consumption.

Petrobras estimates the investment cycle will generate approximately 38,000 direct and indirect jobs in São Paulo by 2030. "São Paulo is the largest consumer market in Brazil, and Petrobras cannot and does not intend to be absent from it," Chambriard concluded.

Banco Master Scandal Sends Flávio Bolsonaro’s Poll Numbers Crashing

Support for Brazilian far-right presidential pre-candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has dropped significantly following the leak of audio messages linking him to a jailed banker, according to a new Atlas Intel/Bloomberg poll released on Tuesday.

The survey is the first to measure the impact of the "Banco Master" scandal on the 2026 presidential race. It shows President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva solidifying his lead while Flávio, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro (imprisoned for the crime of attempted coup d'état), "melt" in both first and second-round scenarios.

KEY POLL FINDINGS

• First Round: President Lula leads with 47% of intentions, while Flávio Bolsonaro fell 5.4 percentage points to 34.3%.
• Second Round: Lula holds 48.9% against Flávio’s 41.8%, moving beyond the margin of error for the first time in months.
• Alternative Candidate: If the Liberal Party (PL) runs former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro instead, she trails Lula with 23.4%, as a portion of the right-wing vote migrates to other candidates like Romeu Zema.

SCANDAL PERCEPTION

The poll specifically addressed the leaked audio in which Senator Flávio Bolsonaro requested $24 million from Daniel Vorcaro, the former owner of Banco Master.

• Guilt: 51.7% of respondents believe the messages provide evidence of direct involvement in financial fraud, while 33.3% accept the senator's version that it was a legitimate attempt to fund a film about his father.
• Political Fallout: 43.3% of Brazilians now associate the Banco Master scandal primarily with "Bolsonaro allies," a sharp shift from earlier months when the issue was more closely linked to the current government in public perception.

LEGAL CHALLENGE

The polling methodology has drawn fire from the Bolsonaro camp. Senator Rogério Marinho announced plans to sue Atlas Intel, alleging the survey "induced" negative responses by playing the leaked audio for participants before they answered questions about the scandal's impact.

Atlas Intel defended its approach, stating the audio was part of an "appendix" played only after the primary election and approval questions were completed.

Despite the controversy, analysts say the "bleeding" of support is a devastating blow to Flávio’s campaign, which had previously been in a dead heat with the incumbent president.

ANALYSIS

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s determination to keep his eldest son, Flávio, as the standard-bearer for the right in the 2026 presidential race is triggering a wave of internal resistance and exposing deep fractures within the "Bolsonarismo" movement.

Political analysts and insiders suggest that while Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s support is "melting" in recent polls following a financial scandal, the patriarch’s primary goal remains the preservation of the family’s political monopoly of the far-right in Brazil rather than a guaranteed electoral victory.

A FRAGMENTED FRONT

The insistence on Flávio’s candidacy has alienated key figures within the right-wing spectrum:

• The "New Right" Leaders: Figures such as Congressman Nicolas Ferreira and potential presidential hopefuls like Romeu Zema and Ronaldo Caiado are navigating a delicate balance. They cannot openly break with Bolsonaro for fear of alienating his loyal base.
• Internal Rivalries: Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas are reportedly sidelined by the family’s "inner circle," which prioritizes blood relatives over broader political alliances.

THE "POLITICAL MONOPOLY" STRATEGY

In fact, Bolsonaro doesn't want to win the election as much as he wants to keep the monopoly of the right. By imposing his son, Bolsonaro aims to keep the "centrão" (Brazil’s powerful far-right political bloc, deeply focused on political opportunism) and other right-wing factions dependent on his endorsement.

Analysts point out that the movement’s emergence since 2015 was capitalized on by Bolsonaro, but it is not synonymous with him. This creates a paradox: many allies are privately relieved by the family’s legal and political setbacks but remain publicly subservient to maintain their own electoral viability.

RESILIENCE THROUGH ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVES

Despite the Banco Master scandal, where, experts attribute this resilience to the movement’s ability to bypass traditional media and sustain "negationist" narratives through messaging apps like WhatsApp.

Unfortunately, the supporters of Bolsonaro are prone to believe any excuse, pointing to the defense that the funds that Flávio was asking Vorcaro for were "private investments" for a film as a sufficient justification for the core base — this is not true because Bolsonaro-supporting mayors and governors injected billions of public money into Banco Master.

MARKET SKEPTICISM

The tension extends to the financial sector. While parts of the "Faria Lima" (Brazil’s Wall Street) remain aligned with the right, there is growing skepticism regarding Flávio’s administrative capacity and credibility.

While financing a private film is not a crime in Brazil, federal investigators are now probing whether the $24 million (134 million reais) deal for the biopic "Dark Horse" served as a front for illicit financial transfers. Furthermore, investigators have identified that Marcelo Calixto — an immigration lawyer and manager of the fund — purchased a $630,000 (3.6 million reais) residence in Texas, where Eduardo Bolsonaro currently resides. Brazilian Political Analysts describe these overlapping financial interests as "highly suspicious. The timing and scale of the payments — totaling 61 million reais in just four months — have led to allegations of pre-campaign slush funds, which is a criminal offense under Brazilian electoral law. The production company of the movie, GOUP Entertainment, has yet to definitively disprove claims that the funds were diverted from the film's actual production costs. Besides all this, Bolsonaro's crisis management is at its worst. All the responses they give lasts more than 24 hours before being contradicted by new evidence. Above that, industry comparisons show that the "Dark Horse" budget exceeds that of several recent Oscar-winning films, such as "The Zone of Interest" ($15 million) and "Moonlight," raising further questions about the necessity and destination of the 134 million reais originally negotiated with Vorcaro.

However, without a viable alternative sanctioned by the former president, the right and the far-rigth in Brazil remains locked in a strategy that prioritizes family loyalty over institutional stability and a democratic state governed by the rule of law, especially since Flávio Bolsonaro has already told Folha de S. Paulo that if elected he will release his imprisoned father even if it means going over the Supreme Court by force.

Flávio Bolsonaro Caught on Tape Pushing Banker for Millions for Father’s Biopic

Leaked audio messages and bank records have revealed a $24 million (134 million reais) deal between Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and former banker Daniel Vorcaro to finance a biopic about former President Jair Bolsonaro, according to an investigation by Intercept Brasil.

The leak comes as Federal Police investigate whether the funds, ostensibly for the film "Dark Horse," were used to camouflage illicit transfers or finance political activities. Vorcaro, the former owner of Banco Master, was arrested in late 2025 in a separate federal operation.

THE DEAL

Documents show that at least $10.6 million (61 million reais) was transferred in six installments between February and May 2025. In audio messages, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro — the eldest son of the former president and current pre-candidate for the presidency of the republic — is heard calling Vorcaro "brother" and pressuring him for payments to "honor commitments" related to the film's production.

"Brother, I am and will always be with you, there is no half-talk between us," Flávio wrote to Vorcaro just one day before the banker’s arrest. "I just need you to give me a light!"

CONTRADICTORY CLAIMS

The leak has sparked a wave of denials and conflicting statements within the Bolsonaro circle:

• Flávio Bolsonaro: Confirmed asking Vorcaro for "private sponsorship" for a "private film about his father's history." He claimed 100% of the money was invested in the movie but cited confidentiality clauses for his previous silence on the matter.

• The Production Company: GOUP Entertainment issued a statement denying they received a "single cent" from Vorcaro or Banco Master, claiming the funding came from over a dozen other anonymous investors who fear "political persecution."

• Mário Frias: The former Culture Secretary and executive producer of the film initially denied Vorcaro’s involvement but later admitted a partnership with "Entre Investimentos," a firm linked to Vorcaro’s business interests.

FEDERAL PROBE

The Federal Police are now tracing the money trail. Investigators suspect that approximately $2 million was diverted to a Texas-based fund, Havengate Development Fund LP, managed by a legal associate of the senator’s brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro. Authorities are looking into whether the funds were used to cover Eduardo’s personal expenses in the United States.

Flávio Bolsonaro has denied any mismanagement, dismissing the allegations as political attacks. "It was a son looking for sponsorship," he told local media, defending the legality of the private investment.

Brazil Accelerates Biomethane Investments as Diesel Imports and Oil Risks Rise

Brazil could slash its diesel imports by 50% within the next ten years by scaling up biomethane production for heavy transport, the head of sugar and ethanol giant Copersucar said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the launch of the "BioRota" project in the Port of Santos, Copersucar President Tomás Manzano stated that the integration of biomethane — a renewable gas produced from organic waste like sugarcane vinasse — is an "irreversible path" for the country's energy matrix.

"The vinasse is already there at the ethanol mills; it is only a matter of time before the mills start producing [biomethane]," Manzano told reporters. "In time, we have no doubt that every mill in Brazil will have a biomethane plant."

Brazil currently imports approximately 20% of the diesel it consumes. Domestic energy security has become a heightened priority for both the government and the private sector as geopolitical tensions created by the war between Iran and US, which had threatened global oil supply routes and price stability.

LOGISTICAL SHIFT

Unlike conventional fossil gas extraction, Brazil’s biomethane industry is built around agricultural waste, landfill residues and animal manure — a decentralised model that industry executives argue creates both environmental and economic benefits.

The expansion has also begun attracting attention from traditional oil and gas companies. Across Europe, majors including Shell and TotalEnergies have already increased investments in biomethane infrastructure, viewing renewable gas as a strategic complement to fossil fuel operations.

Brazil may follow a similar trajectory, analysts say, though domestic oil companies remain heavily focused on pre-salt offshore reserves and conventional gas exploration.

Copersucar, a global leader in sugar and ethanol trading which sold 15.6 million tonnes of sugar in the 2024/25 season, is leading the charge with its BioRota initiative. The project has already replaced 15% of the company's diesel truck fleet with vehicles powered by biomethane derived from sugarcane waste.

The sustainable route connects mills in the interior of São Paulo state to export terminals in Santos. According to company data, switching from diesel to biomethane can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% while lowering logistical costs. Copersucar estimates the project already replace 5 million liters of diesel between April of 2024 and March of 2026, avoiding over 8,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

REGULATORY MOMENTUM

The industry's optimism follows recent regulatory steps by Brazil’s National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), which established a formal mandate for emissions reductions in the natural gas market.

Brazil currently has 19 authorized biomethane plants, with another 50 awaiting approval. ABiogás internal studies suggest the country could see more than 100 new plants by the end of the decade.

Anhother major factor shaping the industry’s outlook is Brazil’s sweeping tax reform, due to take effect from 2027. Under the proposed framework, renewable fuels such as biomethane are expected to receive substantial tax advantages compared with fossil fuels.

Industry executives say the reforms could reduce tax rates on biomethane by up to 90% relative to fossil gas, significantly improving project economics and accelerating investment decisions.

Furthermore, biogas is democratic, because it allows small and medium-sized businesses to participate in energy production in a way that was never possible in the traditional oil and gas industry. This, for an industry that only a few years ago struggled for mainstream recognition, points to the scale of today’s ambitions marks and to a dramatic shift in Brazil.

BILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENTS

Environmental licenses for biogas and biomethane projects more than triple in São Paulo state. The number increased by 235% between 2024 and 2025, according to a survey obtained exclusively by Broadcast.

Adding to the momentum, bioenergy firm Atvos announced a 2.36 billion reais ($410 million) investment to build three new industrial units in Mato Grosso do Sul. The plan includes two corn ethanol plants and what is projected to be one of the world's largest biomethane facilities.

The Atvos project aims to produce 500 million liters of corn ethanol annually across the two new sites, while the biomethane plant will utilize vinasse and filter cake to generate renewable gas, strengthening the circular economy model in Brazil's agricultural heartland.