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Press Release14 November 2025Brazil
Siemens Brazil, Cocal and GIZ join forces to produce sustainable fuels while decarbonizing agro-industrial operations
On Friday, 11/14/25, in São Paulo, the three
institutions signed a letter of intent to collaborate under the International
Hydrogen Expansion Program (H2Uppp) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic
Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Dr. Gunther Grathwohl, Head of the Division
"International Hydrogen Expansion and Bilateral Cooperation on Hydrogen
Infrastructure" at BMWE, highlighted:
"Brazil–Germany
cooperation on green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel is an area with
enormous opportunities, not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to
generate mutual economic benefits. This project within H2Uppp demonstrates how
the private and public sectors can jointly create innovative and scalable
solutions for decarbonizing the aviation and agro-industrial sectors. We expect
strong demand for sustainable aviation fuels."
The
project aims to use renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen. In the
next stage, the hydrogen will then be combined with biogenic CO₂ from ethanol fermentation to
produce e-methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the
Methanol-to-Jet (MtJ) process. Using methanol as an intermediate step in fuel
synthesis allows producers to maintain flexibility and benefit from a wider variety
of feedstocks, as well as adapt to changes in production or market conditions.
"This
new project reflects our way of working—bringing together advanced technology
with the real needs of Brazilian companies. Collaboration between teams in
Brazil and Germany has been essential for developing solutions that combine
competitiveness with emission reductions. By integrating green hydrogen and
sustainable fuels into an already established production chain, we are
demonstrating a gradual and consistent path toward the future, with tangible
benefits for the sector. Our role is to support partners along this journey,
allowing this model to be expanded to other sectors and industries."
The
new collaboration seeks to establish a replicable model for decarbonizing
industrial operations, positioning Brazil as a leader in the global hydrogen
economy and strengthening Brazil–Germany cooperation in sustainable energy.
"Our
commitment is to sustainability. This new project demonstrates Cocal’s ongoing
effort—together with its partners—to pursue new sources of clean and renewable
energy. Our goal is to continue expanding our ecosystem of green products,
which is why we are beginning studies on this green hydrogen pathway. It will
enable the production of clean fuel for strategic sectors of the economy, such
as aviation and maritime transport. At the same time, we will increase CO₂ capture from our operations
and strengthen our long-term plan to become a net-zero carbon plant," said
André Gustavo Silva, Commercial Director at Cocal.
The
project involves a comprehensive assessment of technical, economic, and
environmental feasibility. It will explore year-round production, the capture
of biogenic CO₂, and the synthesis of renewable fuels, ensuring compliance
with international sustainability certification standards. Knowledge transfer
and capacity building will also play a crucial role, involving universities,
research institutions, and industry stakeholders to promote technical skills
and policy discussions on green hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) technologies.
Siemens
Brazil—active in automation, digitalization, and smart infrastructure—and
Cocal, a leader in renewable energy, biogas, and biomethane production, will
provide technical, economic, and operational support. GIZ Brazil, a public
company of the German government supporting sustainable development
initiatives, will oversee quality assurance and alignment with the objectives
of the H2Uppp program implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The partners will share results and insights to support the replication of
similar projects, ensure compliance with sustainability standards, and
disseminate findings through reports, events, and capacity-building
initiatives.
The
project is expected to serve as a strategic reference for large-scale hydrogen
and clean, renewable fuel initiatives in Brazil, reinforcing bilateral
cooperation with Germany in the sustainable energy transition.
About GIZ
As a service provider operating worldwide in the
fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and
international education work, GIZ works with its partners to develop effective
solutions that provide people with better prospects and sustainably improve
their living conditions. GIZ is a federally owned public-benefit enterprise and
supports the German Government and various public and private clients in a wide
range of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy
and the environment, and peace and security.
For more information, visit: https://www.giz.de/en
About Cocal
With more than 40 years of experience in the
sugar-energy sector, the Cocal Group is a reference in renewable energy,
combining tradition and innovation to transform sugarcane into sugar, ethanol,
and electricity, always with a focus on sustainability. Its units in Narandiba
and Paraguaçu Paulista, in western São Paulo, drive an efficient and
responsible production chain. In line with its pioneering DNA, the company
operates a biogas and biomethane plant that uses vinasse and filter cake from
the production process as raw materials, and it is responsible for the first
pipeline in the world dedicated to transporting biomethane. For more information, visit:
https://www.cocal.com.br/en
A Siemens Brasil iniciou suas primeiras atividades em 1867, com a instalação da linha telegráfica pioneira entre o Rio de Janeiro e o Rio Grande do Sul. Em 1905, ocorria a fundação da empresa no País. Ao longo de sua história, a empresa contribuiu ativamente para a construção e para a modernização da infraestrutura brasileira, com um portfólio de tecnologias inovadoras que capacita seus clientes a acelerarem sua própria transformação digital e a alcançarem maior sustentabilidade. Além disso, oferece serviços financeiros, gestão imobiliária corporativa e serviços de negócios indiretos. O Grupo Siemens é formado pela Siemens Brasil, Siemens Healthineers e Mobility e está presente em praticamente todo o território nacional. Conta atualmente com sete centros de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, com o SITRAIN - Centro de excelência para clientes do setor industrial -, além do Digital Experience Center (DEX), um ambiente que permite uma experiência imersiva pelo ecossistema de soluções e serviços da companhia. Para mais informações acesse: www.siemens.com.br ou nosso Relatório Institucional e ESG.