Petrobras announced plans to convert the Riograndense Refinery, located in Rio Grande (RS), into Brazil’s first biorefinery, marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to expand production of lower-carbon fuels. The announcement was made on 20 January 2026 by Petrobras President Magda Chambriard during the contract-signing ceremony of the Mar Aberto program.
According to Petrobras, the transformation is expected to begin in the second half of 2026 and will require investments of approximately R$ 6 billion. The project foresees the production of 100% bio-based products, repositioning the refinery within Petrobras’ refining portfolio and aligning the asset with the company’s energy transition roadmap.
The event took place at the Ecovix Construções Oceânicas S.A. / Estaleiro Rio Grande S.A. facilities and was attended by Petrobras and Transpetro – Petrobras Transporte S. A. executives, federal authorities and industry representatives. Johan Paul Kempers, representing WSB Advisors, was present in connection with Ecovix and the Rio Grande shipyard, reinforcing WSB’s ongoing involvement and monitoring of strategic industrial developments linked to Brazil’s offshore and naval sectors.
Petrobras has been conducting technical and industrial tests since 2023 to assess the feasibility of the conversion, with investments of around R$ 45 million, supported by financial contributions from partners Braskem and Grupo Ultra. These tests focus on adapting existing processes and evaluating technological routes for biofuel production.
Founded in 1937, the Riograndense Refinery is the oldest refinery in Brazil, predating Petrobras itself. The facility currently has an installed capacity of approximately 17,000 barrels per day and produces road and marine fuels, petrochemical naphtha, LPG, solvents and specialty products. The planned conversion represents a strategic repositioning of the asset in response to evolving market and regulatory demands in the energy sector.
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