Brazil Opens Doors to Used Cooking Oil Imports for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

Policy Shift to Boost SAF Production

Brazil is set to allow the importation of used cooking oil (UCO), a key feedstock, specifically for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This decision represents a notable departure from previous regulations that largely prohibited such imports by classifying UCO under general solid waste restrictions. The announcement was made by Euler Lage, a project manager for renewable energy in the office of the presidential chief of staff, during a webinar held on January 28, 2026.

The government plans to introduce a limited import quota for UCO, though the specific volume has yet to be defined. This measure is intended to support the country's burgeoning SAF industry for a fixed period.

Overcoming Previous Import Restrictions

Historically, Brazil's National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12,305/2010), amended by Law 15,088/2025 effective January 7, 2025, banned the import of most solid waste, including UCO. This placed Brazil in contrast to several other nations that recognize UCO as a valuable raw material for fuel and power generation. The new policy creates an exception for UCO when it is destined solely for SAF production, acknowledging its critical role in decarbonizing the aviation sector.

Strategic Importance for Brazil's Green Aviation Goals

The move aligns with Brazil's broader commitment to sustainable energy and its recently enacted 'Fuel of the Future' law (Law 14.993/2024). This legislation establishes progressive mandates for airlines, requiring them to reduce their emissions by an initial 1% starting in 2027, with targets increasing to 10% by 2037, primarily through the use of SAF. UCO and animal fat are recognized as primary raw materials for the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway, one of the common methods for producing SAF.

Estimates from the energy research group EPE project a significant increase in domestic SAF production:

• Approximately 661 million liters in 2027
• Rising to 1.7 billion liters by 2030
• Further increasing to 2.8 billion liters by 2033

While UCO imports will play a role, Brazil is also expected to emphasize SAF production from plant-based materials and alcohol-based processes, leveraging its substantial agricultural resources. The government anticipates finalizing its comprehensive SAF rules by June 2026. Authorities are also expected to implement stringent requirements for traceability and sustainability certification to ensure that imported UCO meets environmental standards.