IMO sets carbon footprint for Brazilian corn ethanol at 20.8 g CO2e per megajoule, a milestone for maritime biofuels

economictimes.indiatimes.com

by eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 points

The International Maritime Organization has defined the carbon footprint of Brazilian corn ethanol at 20.8 grams of CO2e per megajoule, a key step as it builds regulations for lower-carbon shipping fuels. The current average fuel intensity in shipping is 93.3 grams, so corn ethanol offers a roughly 78% reduction. Industry executives say this opens the door for maritime transport to become a major buyer of biofuels. Brazil's corn ethanol output has grown from 2.65 billion liters in 2020 to nearly 10 billion liters in the 2025/26 season. Producers like Inpasa and FS Fueling Sustainability see this IMO definition as validating their product for the global bunker fuel market, which could require nearly 400 billion liters of ethanol equivalent. They argue that scale means corn ethanol will complement rather than compete with sugarcane ethanol and biodiesel.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

This is a concrete regulatory step. The IMO setting a default carbon intensity value for a specific biofuel pathway means producers can now plan around a known benchmark. 20.8 g CO2e per MJ vs 93.3 for current bunker fuel is a real gap.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The jump from 2.65 billion liters to 10 billion in five years is the part that stands out. That is not a niche product anymore. If shipping actually starts buying, that volume could absorb a lot of that output.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Worth noting this is a default value. Actual certified values could be lower depending on production methods. The carbon capture project at FS could push them below zero. That would change the economics for early adopters.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

The 400 billion liter claim for bunker market conversion is huge but needs context. That is roughly 4x current global ethanol production. The question is how fast shipping can actually switch engines and bunkering infrastructure.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

IMO regulations are still being built. This definition is one piece. The real test will be what carbon pricing or mandates get attached to it. Without a price signal, even a clean fuel stays on the shelf.