HIF Global Unveils Plans for 800,000 mt/yr e-Methanol Plant in Brazil

HIF Global, a leading name in the e-Fuels sector, has announced its inaugural project in Brazil following the signing of a land reservation contract with the Port of Açu on September 24, 2024. This agreement allows HIF Global to develop a facility capable of producing up to 800,000 tons of e-Methanol annually. The formalization of this contract took place during the ROG.e energy fair in Rio de Janeiro, where HIF Global secured a significant area within the Port of Açu complex for the construction of its e-Methanol plant. The port will play a crucial role in supporting various aspects of HIF's project development.

Cesar Norton, President and CEO of HIF Global, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We have been operating the world’s first e-Fuels facility for over a year in southern Chile, demonstrating that e-Fuels are a real and concrete solution to combat climate change now. The Port of Açu will be a fundamental pillar in building a sustainable future, and we are excited to work together on this first HIF Global development in Brazil.”

HIF Global is actively pursuing e-Fuels development sites globally, seeking locations with favorable conditions such as access to affordable renewable energy, abundant CO2 sources, stable legal frameworks, favorable market conditions, and well-developed port facilities. The Port of Açu, located in Rio de Janeiro, has recently obtained a preliminary environmental license to develop a hub for hydrogen and its derivatives. This port complex is emerging as a key logistics and industrial center, positioning itself prominently within the renewable energy sector.

The HIF project is anticipated to attract significant investment and stimulate the local economy. Mauro Andrade, Executive Director of Business Development at Prumo, remarked, “The agreement with HIF Global is a milestone for the Port of Açu and the region in this new industry. We are committed to promoting sustainable development and contributing to a cleaner and more energy-efficient future.”

E-fuels are generated through electrolyzers that utilize renewable energy to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water molecules. This hydrogen is then combined with recycled carbon dioxide to create carbon-neutral e-Fuels, such as e-Methanol. These fuels can serve as shipping fuel or be converted into other forms, including e-Gasoline for vehicles, e-SAF for aviation, and e-Diesel for trucks. Importantly, e-Fuels are chemically identical to conventional fuels, allowing them to be used in existing engines without any modifications.

HIF Global stands as the premier e-Fuels company globally, spearheading projects aimed at transforming renewable energy into near carbon-neutral e-Fuels compatible with existing engines. The acronym HIF embodies the company’s mission: to deliver Highly Innovative Fuels that facilitate the planet's decarbonization. Currently, HIF produces e-Fuels at its Haru Oni facility in southern Chile and is working on establishing commercial-scale e-Fuels facilities in the United States, Uruguay, Australia, and Chile.