Brazil’s meat processing giant JBS Foods has begun using animal byproducts from its operations to produce fuel for aircraft. These materials are sourced from JBS facilities in the United States, Canada and Australia.

JBS reports that over the past two years, approximately 1.2 million tons of beef tallow and pork lard have been used to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

This process, often referred to as ‘cow power’, involves converting animal byproducts into fuel, with JBS providing the necessary raw materials. The initiative aims to offer an alternative to fossil fuels, with the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. SAF can also be blended with kerosene at up to 50% for use in commercial aircraft.

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Jason Weller, JBS’s global chief sustainability officer (CSO), emphasised the company’s dedication to responsible waste management and promoting a circular economy. He stated: “The aviation sector has historically faced challenges in decarbonisation due to its reliance on fossil fuels. By repurposing animal waste, we contribute to the environment and assist this critical sector in its decarbonisation efforts.

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), aviation-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have grown by an average of 2.6% annually over the past 25 years, with commercial aviation accounting for about 5% of the global climate burden.

In Brazil, the beef packer and exporter Friboi has initiated studies to explore the use of animal byproducts for aviation fuel production. Additionally, JBS subsidiary Biopower is evaluating the production of renewable fuel for ships as an alternative to bunker oil, a fossil fuel predominantly used in maritime vessels.

Biopower is one of Brazil’s largest producers of biodiesel from organic waste generated by cattle processing, providing an alternative that emits 80% less carbon dioxide compared to traditional diesel. The company operates three plants located in Mafra (Santa Catarina state), Lins (São Paulo state) and Campo Verde (Mato Grosso state).

In 2023, JBS launched a project to fuel its lorry fleet with 100% biodiesel (B100). A lorry from Dutch manufacturer DAF has already been running on B100, demonstrating the biofuel’s efficiency as a viable alternative to traditional diesel. The lorry has logged over 120,000 kilometers, showing comparable performance to diesel-powered vehicles but with up to 80% lower carbon dioxide emissions.

These B100 trials are in line with Brazil’s increasing focus on biofuels in its transportation sector. Since March 1, 2024, the biodiesel content in diesel sold to consumers has been raised to 14%. JBS was the first company in Brazil to receive authorisation from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) to supply its lorry fleet with 100% biodiesel. The Lins industrial complex in São Paulo state features a ‘biopoint’ with two pumps dedicated solely to B100, capable of dispensing 30,000 litres of fuel.