Biodiesel in Brazil: History and relevant policies

This study presents a brief review of financial support programs launched by the Brazilian government aimed at substituting the petroleum diesel for fuels from vegetable oils. Although the first attempts were made during the 1970’s, it was only in the last five years that the biodiesel industry has presented a significant growth. The National Program for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB), together with its pertinent legislation has created a considerable national demand for the biodiesel. One of the objectives of this program is to stimulate the production of oleaginous plants (oil plants) by small farmers facilitating their social and economical insertion into the market. This article presents a chronological evolution of these regulatory mechanisms and the potential changes they can cause in this productive chain. This study also focuses on the recent alterations in the requirements of the “social fuel seal”.