Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is emerging as one of the aviation sector’s most viable pathways to reduce its environmental impact. Produced specifically for the industry from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil and agricultural waste, SAF can cut CO₂ emissions by more than 50%, offering airlines a practical way to lower their greenhouse gas footprint.

Currently, production costs remain high, and the scale of the infrastructure required to meet demand is still limited. However, the pace of adoption is picking up, and Latin America is well positioned to play a leading role in the market. As demand grows, SAF is becoming a central component of the energy transition. Against this backdrop, Techint E&C took part in the SAF LATAM Congress, held March 2–4 in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of its strategy to support the development and adoption of this technology.

Robson Otoni, Business Development Director, explains how momentum has increased as adoption becomes more widespread. “Among the many energy transition initiatives underway, we see SAF standing out as one of the fastest-growing,” he says. Demand is already well established, and the regulatory framework is continuing to expand. “There’s still work to do, but both in Latin America and globally, the direction is clear.”

For the region, “SAF is not a distant prospect: it’s a real opportunity for us today,” adds Vilson Rigon, President Brazil Region. “We have the resources, the technical capabilities, and the ecosystem to become a global production hub.” He stresses the importance of staying close to the market. “Our participation in events like the SAF LATAM Congress reflects our commitment to this sector. And it helps us build the strategic partnerships that will underpin our growth in Brazil and across the region.”

Opening up new horizons

Techint E&C began exploring SAF four years ago and has since built close ties with stakeholders across the value chain, from technologists and developers to potential customers. “We’re well positioned to meet demand,” says Otoni confidently. “The market really values companies that can deliver across the entire lifecycle, from engineering through to execution.” In Brazil, he adds, the company is already working closely with some of the top SAF developers.

At the SAF LATAM Congress in São Paulo, Techint E&C took part with its own stand and company experts participated in talks and panel discussions. “It was a really positive experience,” concludes Otoni. “We connected with government agencies, developers, technology providers and industry players. Clearly, there’s a strong appetite to work with the private sector to turn this interest into concrete SAF projects.”

In Brazil, regulations require that SAF account for 1% of fuel used on domestic flights by January 2027, rising gradually to 12% by 2035, pointing to steady demand growth. In Europe, where the market is more mature, regulations are stricter and feedstock criteria differ, as SAF derived from biomass grown on land, which is the most abundant type in Brazil, is not widely used. As a result, producers in Latin America are exploring adjustments to meet European standards and access these export markets.

Techint E&C is currently preparing a bid to build a SAF plant for Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil company. “Petrobras has a major influence on the market. If they get behind using this fuel, others will follow,” foresees Otoni, explaining that, “We can support this growth in multiple ways: bringing in experienced teams, leveraging our project execution track record, and structuring contracts that fit the needs of this emerging market.”

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