Aroeira launches sugar route using biomethane trucks and rail to Port of Santos

Bioenergética Aroeira has launched a new sugar transport flow in Minas Gerais combining biomethane-powered trucks and rail service to the Port of Santos, in São Paulo state.

The pilot operation is expected to initially move about 12,000 metric tons per month, with plans to reach roughly 200,000 metric tons of sugar in 2027.

The project is being developed by Aroeira in partnership with Gasgrid/ZEG Biogás, Aguetoni Transportes and VLI Logística. The companies describe it as the first low-carbon logistics flow for moving sugar from Minas Gerais to the Port of Santos.

In the first stage of the operation, sugar is transported by trucks fueled with biomethane to VLI’s Uberaba Integrator Terminal. From there, the cargo moves by rail along the Centro-Atlântica Railway to the Port of Santos, where it is shipped for export.

The model is designed to reduce logistics-related emissions by replacing diesel with biomethane on the road leg and using rail for the next stage of transport.

Sugarcane waste becomes fuel

The biomethane used by the trucks is produced from waste generated within the sugar-energy chain itself. The material goes through biodigestion and purification processes before being transformed into renewable fuel.

The production plant was developed by Bioenergética Aroeira in partnership with Gasgrid/ZEG Biogás. As a result, waste from sugarcane processing is used to produce part of the fuel used in the logistics of the sugar itself.

“The key differentiator of this initiative is the use of waste generated by the sugar-energy chain to produce biomethane for transporting the cargo,” said Eduardo Fioreze, commercial manager at Bioenergética Aroeira. “The project shows how the circular economy can deliver environmental and operational gains by connecting renewable energy production and logistics in a single solution.”

In addition to reducing the use of fossil fuels, the companies highlighted biomethane’s role as a locally produced alternative that can lower dependence on petroleum-based fuels and reduce exposure to swings in international energy markets.

Rail completes route to Santos

After the road leg between the mill and Uberaba, the sugar is transferred to rail.

According to VLI, rail transport can emit up to 75% less CO₂ per metric ton transported than trucks running on fossil fuels.

“Because of its characteristics, rail transport can emit up to 75% less CO₂ per metric ton transported compared with trucks powered by fossil fuels,” said Asley Fonseca Ribeiro, VLI’s general manager for commercial intelligence. “In Brazil’s freight transport mix, this mode is an important lever for decarbonization.”

Source: RPA News

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