Agreement Signed Between Cemvita and Rio Grande do Sul Government for Establishment of Industrial Plant in Southern Brazil
In a significant move towards a greener future, Cemvita, a leading U.S.-based industrial biotechnology company, has announced plans to build Brazil's first industrial-scale facility in Rio Grande do Sul. This facility will produce FermOil™, a sustainable low-carbon oil used as feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and FermNPK™, an innovative biofertilizer supporting regenerative agriculture.
The project officially began with an engagement agreement signed with the state investment agency Invest RS in August 2025. The initiative positions Rio Grande do Sul as a global hub for innovation in the circular bioeconomy and underlines Brazil’s leadership in sustainable development and decarbonization. Acting Governor Gabriel Souza emphasized that this collaboration advances the state’s strategic goals by attracting high-impact investments and fostering growth in renewable energy, agriculture, and industry sectors.
Cemvita’s CEO, Moji Karimi, highlighted the region’s favourable infrastructure, regulatory environment, and abundance of feedstock as critical enablers for scaling this waste-to-value platform. This facility is the world’s first industrial-scale deployment of Cemvita’s bioconversion technology and exemplifies a holistic approach to circular bioeconomy by integrating biofuel production with sustainable agriculture inputs.
The plant will significantly boost Rio Grande do Sul’s role in the global innovation ecosystem and bioeconomy by advancing cutting-edge biotechnology, promoting sustainable industrial practices, and supporting the energy transition in aviation and agriculture sectors on a global scale.
Invest RS, the investment promotion agency of Rio Grande do Sul, provides support to national and international investors. The agency offers tailored services, assists in site selection, access to incentive programs, and coordinates with public agencies. The state was chosen strategically due to its robust infrastructure, availability of crude glycerol, and strong track record in low-carbon public policies.
Cemvita specializes in transforming carbon emissions into high-value bio-based chemicals, producing sustainable oils and other essential inputs for various industries. The company's mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular bioeconomy, partnering with major global corporations to deliver cutting-edge technological solutions.
For more information, please contact Cemvita at [email protected] or visit their website at www.cemvita.com. The press contact for this article was Business Wire.
The signing ceremony was attended by acting governor Gabriel Souza, Invest RS CEO Rafael Prikladnicki, Cemvita CEO Moji Karimi, and Cemvita's Strategy & Business Development Director, Fernando Borba. The facility will also produce FermNPK™, an innovative biofertilizer that supports regenerative agriculture.
This project represents a major technological leap that positions the state at the forefront of the energy transition, with direct impact on sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and renewable energy. Invest RS aligns with the guidelines of the Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development Plan launched by the state government. Cemvita aligns perfectly with the state's focus on innovation and sustainability, aiming to position Rio Grande do Sul as a competitive and strategic destination for new investments.
- Cemvita's first industrial-scale facility in Rio Grande do Sul, set to produce sustainable oil and biofertilizer, will be a crucial step in the energy transition, particularly in sectors like aviation, agriculture, and renewable energy.
- The state's investment agency, Invest RS, offers tailored services, site selection assistance, access to incentive programs, and coordinates with public agencies, making Rio Grande do Sul an attractive destination for high-impact investments in environmental-science, industry, and finance.
- By choosing Rio Grande do Sul, Cemvita, a leading biotechnology company, recognizes the state's favorable infrastructure, crude glycerol availability, and history of low-carbon public policies, key factors for scaling their waste-to-value platform.
- In the move towards a circular bioeconomy, Cemvita specializes in transforming carbon emissions into high-value bio-based chemicals, providing essential inputs for various industries, contributing to the climate-change mitigation efforts, and promoting the use of renewable-energy.
- The collaboration between Cemvita and Rio Grande do Sul underlines the state's commitment to sustainable development and decarbonization, positioning it as a global hub for innovation in the circular bioeconomy, science, and technology sectors.
