Yara has achieves a significant milestone by producing ammonia using renewable biomethane for the first time in Brazil.
The company has already delivered its initial tons of this lower-carbon product to customers. Biomethane, a purified biogas derived from sugarcane waste, seamlessly replaces fossil natural gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%.
Advancing Decarbonization in Food and Industry
The breakthrough highlights Yara’s dedication to decarbonizing food and industrial value chains as it progresses toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
“This marks a crucial step in building renewable-based value chains across industries, from food and mining to transport,” mentioned Marcelo Altieri, President, Yara Brazil.
“The benefits for agribusiness are immense. By integrating lower-carbon fertilizers with our agronomic expertise, we deliver greater value to farmers while opening new markets and revenue streams. For instance, coffee farming could see up to a 40% reduction in the carbon footprint of harvested beans,” he added.
Biomethane at Cubatão: Pioneering Brazil’s Energy Transition
Yara’s industrial complex in Cubatão, São Paulo, is the largest natural gas consumer in Brazil and the top ammonia producer. It now operates entirely with biomethane.
“Cubatão stands at the forefront of Brazil’s energy transition,” said Daniel Hubner, Senior Vice President of Yara Industrial Solutions.
Hubner added, “By leveraging biomethane, Brazil can transform its vast organic waste. This will create a valuable resource and drive a shift toward a fair, efficient, and sustainable energy model.”
Hubner emphasised, “Brazil has the potential to lead globally. To achieve this, we must scale renewable solutions. We need to foster public-private partnerships and create incentives. This will make innovations accessible and impactful.
Expanding Decarbonization Efforts with CCS
As per the press release, Yara plans to further its efforts by expanding its portfolio to include products utilizing carbon capture and storage (CCS). This initiative reaffirms Yara’s leadership in industrial decarbonization. It also supports sustainable growth in Brazil and globally.
