State initiative confirms technical, economic and environmental viability of biogas and biomethane, paving the way for large-scale replication in the swine industry
FLORIANÓPOLIS, SANTA CATARINA — Santa Catarina, one of the world’s most important swine-producing regions in Brazil, has reached a major milestone in its clean-energy transition. The state officially concluded the presentation phase of its pioneering Biogas Pilot Project, confirming the feasibility of transforming swine manure into renewable energy and setting the stage for replication across the country.
The initiative, developed over two years by the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (FIESC) through its Decarbonization Hub, in partnership with the SENAI Institute of Technology, CIBiogás, BRDE, Sicoob, Sindicarne and ACAV, evaluated the potential of converting pig waste into electricity, thermal energy and biomethane. The program analyzed 50 farms linked to major agro-industrial companies Aurora Coop, Master and Seara.
Pilot Confirms Strong Emission Reductions and Large-Scale Potential
The study reaffirms the technical, economic and environmental viability of biodigesters as a strategic tool for agricultural decarbonization. The results reveal direct emission reductions exceeding 20% in nursery units and strong performance in finishing farms and production units.
“These numbers confirm the strategic role of biogas in advancing decarbonization,” says Charles Leber, leader of the FIESC Decarbonization Hub.
Santa Catarina’s swine sector underscores the importance of the findings. The state accounts for 8% of global pork exports and holds 33% of Brazil’s national herd, representing over R$10 billion (US$1.8 billion) in economic activity and supporting more than 480,000 direct and indirect jobs. The expansion of biogas solutions is viewed as an economic catalyst for rural competitiveness, regional industry and sustainable development.
A Foundation for Replication Across All Swine Farms
According to FIESC, the pilot is just the beginning. The project generated a comprehensive database, mapping participating properties and producing a detailed profile of Santa Catarina’s swine industry, information that now guides future policy and scaling decisions.
Now the project show where the bottlenecks and advances are, and it doesn’t end here. Armed with data and real experience, the project can make decisions with far greater security, according to Charles Leber, a specialist from the SENAI Institute of Environmental Technology.
The long-term goal is to replicate the use of biodigesters, biogas and biomethane across all swine farms in the state. BRDE, a key financial partner, reinforced that the initiative aligns with its institutional focus on decarbonization and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Santa Catarina Well-Positioned for Biogas Expansion
The findings confirm that the state’s productive density, territorial structure and strong agro-industrial sector make it one of Brazil’s most promising regions for biogas growth. The West and Mid-West regions are especially suited for large-scale deployment.
Biodigesters already in operation demonstrate clear benefits, emission reductions, improved waste management, lower energy costs and enhanced sustainability. With industry support from Sindicarne and ACAV, and financial backing from BRDE and Sicoob, the project is expected to gain momentum as it enters its next phase.
A Scalable Model for Brazil’s Energy Transition
By proving that swine manure can be converted into clean, economically viable energy, Santa Catarina’s pilot positions the state as a national reference for rural decarbonization. The data-driven approach provides a secure foundation for expanding biogas infrastructure and enabling a new, sustainable energy frontier for Brazilian agribusiness.
No comments:
Post a Comment