2024 Sustainability Report
Message from the CEO
Three years ago, when Acelen took over the management of the Mataripe Refinery, we made a commitment to drive the transformation of the energy industry in Brazil in line with the global energy transition movement.
In 2024 that vision came true because we increased the safety and the competitiveness of the business, strengthened our environmental management, modernized and digitalized our industrial park and logistics assets following the Industry 4.0 concepts and had continued gains in operational efficiency.
Luiz de Mendonça
CEO of Acelen
CEO of Acelen
2024 Highlights
- 0.15/million man hours worked¹ was our reportable incident rate, lower than that in 2023 (0.45), which makes us a safety benchmark in our sector
- R$3 billion invested in revamping and modernizing the equipment at the Mataripe Refinery since 2022
- R$70 million invested in revamping Temadre, with the completion of the first dredging of the channel after 20 years and navigation depth restored to 15.5 meters
- R$9.8 million invested in social actions and projects since 2022
- 11%² decrease in water consumption
- 79%² reduction in sulphur emissions
- 20%² reduction in flaring gases
- 90%² of waste sent for reuse or recycling. Achievement of Zero Landfill Certification | Bronze Seal
- Start of the construction of a solar plant to generate renewable electricity enough to supply 100% of the external electricity consumed at the Mataripe Refinery
¹ Accidents per million hours worked.
² 2024 performance compared to that of 2023.
² 2024 performance compared to that of 2023.
About Us
At Acelen we work to accelerate the development of the Brazilian energy industry. Since we took over the management of the Mataripe Refinery, three years ago, we have raised the level of efficiency, quality and sustainability of this asset, which is strategic for the entire domestic industry.
We invested R$3 billion in innovative projects and strengthened operational safety, modernized and restored the industrial plant and logistics infrastructure, increased productivity, launched new products, optimized costs and made our production process more digital and agile.
The management of social and environmental aspects is fully integrated into the business strategy, ensuring the generation of financial value while reducing impacts and enhancing the capacity to contribute to the development of local communities.
Operations and digital transformation
The Acelen Excellence Program drives operational efficiency, safety, product and service quality, and client satisfaction. One of the main initiatives within its scope is the PIP (Profit Improvement Program), which generated savings of nearly US$97 million. Among the results are the increase in the production of middle distillates (diesel S-10, diesel S-500, MGO, and QAV) to 40.5% of the volume produced in 2024, compared to 34.0% in 2022.
In line with the Industry 4.0 principles, digitalization and process automation are another strategic front for the Mataripe Refinery. In 2024, focusing on projects that generate short-term value, we achieved savings of R$121 million.
In 2024, for the third consecutive year, the Mataripe Refinery was voted one of the three best in Latin America by the LARTC24 Excellence Award. The award is given annually by the World Refining Association, an internationally renowned entity that brings together the main players in the refining sector.
Logistics
In 2024 we invested R$70 million to complete the first phase of the requalification of the Madre de Deus Waterway Terminal (Temadre), the primary entry point for receiving crude oil shipments. A major milestone in this phase was the maintenance dredging of the channel, which restored its navigation depth two decades after the last maintenance intervention.
We also worked on enhancing processes for planning and controlling oil reception and by-product shipping. A series of internal improvements led to a reduction of approximately 45% in demurrage costs – fees charged when a vessel exceeds the contracted waiting time. Furthermore, the Total Stay Time (TET) for ships decreased by 16% compared to that of 2023 and by 27% compared to that of 2022.
ESG Strategy
Our ESG Strategy is a systemic approach through which we identify, monitor and act to minimize risks, mitigate impacts and enhance benefits related to the environmental, social and governance aspects of our business model.
The ESG Strategy is structured around the central axis of Ethics & Compliance and three areas of action: Climate Change, Environmental Stewardship, and People and Socio-economic Impact.
Ethics and Compliance
Our compliance management is integrated with the systematic assessment and monitoring of corporate risks through our GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) model - led by the same vice-presidency.
Our Ethics and Compliance Program encompasses the Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS), certified since 2023 according to the ISO 37001 standard. Within the scope of the ABMS, 100% of our operations are covered by corruption risk assessments. All of our suppliers are also evaluated regarding corruption risk at the time of their registration.
The Ethics Channel is a central component of our Ethics and Compliance Program, serving as the primary tool for reporting behaviors or actions across the value chain that violate our ethical principles, Code of Ethics and Conduct, compliance policies, or applicable laws. The platform is managed by an independent external provider, ensuring confidentiality for all individuals who submit reports or disclosures of this nature.
People and Socio-economic Impact
Since the beginning of our operations, one of our main management priorities has been the development of a highly qualified team of leaders and professionals to ensure the continuity and advancement of activities at the Mataripe Refinery.
In this context, a key highlight is Acender – Acelen’s Center of Excellence in Education, the first of its kind in Brazil dedicated to training for the private refining sector. Operating since 2022, Acender has delivered over 4,000 hours of training across ten specialized courses for refining operators, along with structured development paths in engineering, safety, and maintenance.
Health and safety
Our Integrated Management System for Safety, Health, and Environment (SIGA) ensures the management of operational activities according to strict safety standards and procedures to prevent accidents. The system’s guidelines and procedures are fully aligned with the Technical Regulation for the Operational Safety Management System for Oil Refineries, as established by Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP)
Last year, we successfully renewed our SPIE (Own Equipment Inspection Service) certification, confirming our technical competence in internally managing the inspection and maintenance of critical equipment, including boilers, pressure vessels, and pipelines.
We also have an Integrated Health Center Health Center (CSI), which is available 24/7 to provide urgent and emergency care to anyone on our premises. In 2024 we completed renovations to modernize and upgrade the pre-hospital care area, enhancing both the functionality of the facility and the comfort of patients.
Relationship with communties and local development
With the desire to expand our positive impacts and build the Acelen brand legacy, we developed a strategy to systematize relationships with local communities. The Community Advisory Boards (CCCs) are the main forum for engagement and dialogue with these stakeholders.
The three existing Community Advisory Boards (CCCs) foster engagement with 20 priority communities located in the municipalities of São Francisco do Conde, Madre de Deus, and Candeias. We also maintain regular engagement with other communities in the Salvador region – including Ilha de Maré, Ilha dos Frades, Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos, and the municipality of Catu – through monthly Social Dialogues. These efforts aim to create positive, long-term impacts for nearly 200,000 people across five municipalities, engaging approximately 100 institutions and 200 community leaders.
To strengthen this relationship model and deepen community engagement, we launched the Acelera CCC (Accelerating Community Advisory Boards) project in 2024. This initiative supported the implementation of three community projects, directly benefiting 22 social organizations.
Environmental Stewardship
Our Integrated Safety, Health, and Environment Management System (SIGA) encompasses the processes and controls necessary for the management of environmental integrity across all processes at the Mataripe Refinery. One of the main risks mitigated is the occurrence of leaks or operational incidents that could cause soil and water contamination, or negatively impact biodiversity. In 2024 no relevant leaks were registered in our operations.
Additionally, we are continuously working to improve water consumption efficiency. Since we took over the management of the refinery, this indicator has improved significantly and consistently: an 8% reduction in 2022, 9% in 2023, and 11% in 2024. These improvements are directly linked to awareness of rational water use, increased process efficiency, and increased internal reuse.
In relation to waste, we received the Zero Landfill Bronze Seal certification in 2025. The seal certifies that over 90% of materials have been diverted from landfills through alternative routes for reuse or recycling.
Among the initiatives that contributed most to this performance, we highlight the improved and disciplined separation of recyclable waste, the reuse of waste at the refinery itself and the development of routes for disposed materials to integrate new production chains.
Climate Change
Energy demand continues to grow in all regions, especially in developing countries such as Brazil, which requires the maintenance of fossil fuel availability to ensure the energy security of production chains. We operate with efficiency and sustainability, seeking the best solutions to offer the products demanded by society with the lowest possible carbon footprint.
At the Mataripe Refinery, our commitment is focused on continuously increasing the energy efficiency of processes through innovation, process quality, and cutting-edge asset management.
To increase the sustainability, competitiveness and efficiency of the Mataripe Refinery, in 2024 we began the installation of a photovoltaic park to generate renewable electricity for our industrial operations (photo). The solar complex will have a generation capacity of 161 megawatts (MW), enough to supply 100% of the Mataripe Refinery’s external electricity demand, reducing around 128,000 tons of carbon (tCO₂e) and neutralizing the refinery’s Scope 2 emissions.
Acelen Renewables
Acelen Renewables is an independent company with a US$3 billion investment plan to innovate in the production of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel produced from the oil extracted from the fruit of macauba, a plant native to Brazil. In order to structure the macauba fruit supply chain, Acelen Renewables implemented one of the most comprehensive research, development and innovation programs in Brazilian agribusiness, resulting in the largest mapping and characterization of macauba in the world.
In Montes Claros (state of Minas Gerais), Acelen Renewables built Acelen Agripark, the first technological and agro-industrial innovation center dedicated to the development and management of macauba, installed in an area of 138 hectares. In 2025 Acelen Renewables began large-scale commercial planting of macauba, with approximately 2,000 hectares cultivated in the municipality of Cachoeira (state of Bahia), boosting the creation of direct jobs in agricultural operations and administrative areas.
Studies and engineering projects for the implementation of the biorefinery plant in Bahia have also been completed. The unit will use the internationally recognized HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) technology to produce SAF and HVO.
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