Petrobras and Finep launch a R$ 30 million call for proposals for Research, Development and Innovation projects in Biorefining

Petrobras and Finep launch, this Wednesday (3/25), a call for proposals worth R$ 30 million for RD&I projects in Biorefining. One of the objectives is to diversify the supply of feedstocks and develop routes for the production of more competitive and sustainable biofuels in the long term. The investment is part of the "Technological Ecosystems" initiative, linked to the Petrobras Connections for Innovation program, with expected funding that may reach up to R$ 120 million. The company aims to integrate science and technology institutions (STIs), companies, startups, industry associations and funding agencies, among others, into the process.

 "The development of this model is due to Petrobras' need to adapt to an increasingly dynamic, technologically complex and competitive business environment in the oil, gas and energy sector, where open and collaborative innovation plays a central role. At the same time, it optimizes the company's RD&I investments by leveraging synergies and sharing competencies and resources," analyzes Petrobras' Director of Engineering, Technology and Innovation, Renata Baruzzi.

 Among the challenges proposed in the call are obtaining low-carbon products such as biofuels for segments such as aviation, maritime or road transport through biotechnological routes, using residual feedstocks. Biotechnological routes are pathways that use biological systems, such as microorganisms and enzymes, to create or modify products and processes. They are suitable conversion processes for transforming feedstocks into products of interest at competitive cost and in an environmentally sustainable manner.

 Petrobras, through its Research, Development and Innovation Center, Cenpes, has established a 5-year partnership with Finep (Funding Authority for Studies and Projects) to invest up to R$ 120 million in structuring and managing the Biorefining Technological Ecosystem. The institution will act as manager in several activities such as organizing public calls, coordinating among participants, contracting and technical-financial management of projects.

According to Elias Ramos, director of Innovation at Finep, “the partnership between Petrobras and Finep represents a milestone for advancing the energy innovation agenda in the country. As the main funders of R&D in the sector, we are aligning efforts to drive the development of biorefining technologies and support the decarbonization of the fuels sector, a central challenge of the energy transition.”

 Petrobras' Business Plan for the 2026–2030 period foresees investments totaling US$ 4 billion in RD&I, of which US$ 1.2 billion is allocated to energy transition, including the development of sustainable products.

 The "Technological Ecosystems" initiative is part of the Petrobras Connections for Innovation Program, created by Cenpes to strengthen and foster the company's relationship with the innovation ecosystem.

 For this call, focused on biotechnological processes, the deadline for electronic submission of proposals is 29/5, with preliminary results of the first stage expected to be announced on 17/7. See the call here.