AIIB Provides US$58 Million Financing for Brazil’s Large-Scale SAF Biorefinery

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a US$58 million loan to Acelen Renewables to support the development of a large-scale biorefinery project in Bahia, Brazil. The project includes a new Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) facility with a processing capacity of approximately 20,000 barrels per day. It will convert soybean oil, used cooking oil (UCO), and other waste-based feedstocks into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (HVO) for both domestic and international markets.

The project is among the first large private-sector SAF facilities in Brazil using HEFA technology and is expected to play a key role in establishing a commercially viable SAF market in the country. AIIB said the investment will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation and heavy transport while supporting local employment and economic growth. The broader financing package is expected to reach approximately US$1.5 billion, with participation from IFC, IDB, and other development finance institutions.