Macaúba in Focus: Sustainable, Zero Waste, and Circular Economy.
The macaúba tree is a species from the Brazilian biodiversity, commercially exploited by S.Oleum, a company dedicated to the production of sustainable feedstock on a large scale with a negative carbon footprint. This species yields a fruit bearing the same name, serving as a feedstock source for various industrial sectors.
S.Oleum’s business model is driven by the Zero Waste concept, rooted in the circular economy, with macaúba fitting seamlessly into this scenario. Everything from macaúba is utilized! From the fruit, it is possible to extract oils, fats, fibers, and biomasses that meet the diverse needs of essential supply chains.
Oils extracted from the pulp and almond can be utilized by energy, food, and cosmetic industries through products such as advanced biofuels, renewable hydrogen, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or bio-kerosene. According to studies conducted for over a decade by the Fuel Testing Laboratory (LEC) at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), led by Professor Vânya Márcia Duarte Pasa, macaúba has proven to be an excellent feedstock source for biofuel production.
But it doesn’t stop there; from the fruit oils, we can produce sustainable special fats for use in food and cosmetics. Moreover, our oils can serve as a base feedstock for green chemicals such as bio-lubricants, bio-solvents, and renewable surfactants. Macaúba fibers also play a vital role, providing food for the pet industry and functional foods, such as protein isolate, resulting from studies and research conducted by Professor Frederico Barros from the Department of Food Technology at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) in partnership with S.Oleum, which led to the patent registration.
Recently, a patent was registered for ethanol production from hemicellulosic and starchy fractions of oilseed biomass. This patent is also the result of years of study and dedication by Professor Daniel Bonato’s team, especially Raquel Valinhas, a biologist and PhD candidate in biology at UFSJ in collaboration with the Federal University of São João del Rei; Federal University of Vale do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri; and Federal University of Viçosa, along with S.Oleum.
Biomass is another byproduct of macaúba gaining prominence on the global stage as a significant raw material source for renewable hydrogen production, which can be isolated through water electrolysis or by restructuring gases synthesized through biomass conversion.
In addition to all these products derived from macaúba, S.Oleum extracts the maximum potential of macaúba in a circular process, where by-products are generated, and some of these by-products return to agroforests in the form of bioinputs, biochar, biofertilizers, or even as green fuel to power industry and forest fleets.
This circular approach is only possible with effective management and cutting-edge technology, two essential elements integral to S.Oleum. We are committed not only to sustainability but also to continuous investment in research and development to drive the macaúba production chain’s advancement.
Join us on this journey of innovation and sustainability!
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