Petrobras and Finep Open R$30 Million Biorefining R&D Call Including Marine Biofuels
Petrobras and Finep have launched a R$30 million call for research, development and innovation proposals focused on biorefining. The selected work will investigate biotechnology-based conversion of residual feedstocks into competitive low-carbon products, including biofuels for maritime, aviation and road transport. The call forms part of a five-year Petrobras–Finep partnership that could invest up to R$120 million in a biorefining technology ecosystem.
Confirmed: Petrobras and Finep launched a R$30 million public call on March 25, 2026, for biorefining R&D and innovation projects. The stated challenges include biotechnology routes that use residual feedstocks to produce low-carbon fuels for maritime, aviation and road transport. Petrobras, through Cenpes, has also established a five-year partnership with Finep under which investment in the Ecossistema Tecnológico de Biorrefino may reach R$120 million. Proposals for this call are due by May 29, with the preliminary result from the first selection stage scheduled for July 17.
Interpretation: The initiative is a potential early-stage marine-fuels supply-chain signal rather than a confirmed commercialization program. Its relevance to maritime markets depends on whether selected projects specifically address marine fuel specifications, scalable production and commercial deployment. No vessel application, fuel purchase agreement, production capacity, refinery conversion or maritime supply contract is identified in the announcement. The call may nevertheless create future opportunities for biotechnology developers, residual-feedstock suppliers and fuel-testing or certification organizations serving maritime decarbonization.