The decision comes through a strategic contract signed with Edge, a subsidiary of Cosan, which will supply biometano produced at Brazil’s largest purification plant located in Paulínia, São Paulo. The facility, which represents a R$450 million investment, has a production capacity of 225,000 cubic meters of biometano daily, generated from organic waste decomposed in managed landfills. This biometano is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas and complies with specifications regulated by Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
Unilever’s Valinhos factory, responsible for producing some of its most recognizable soap brands — including Dove, Lux, and Rexona — is now the company’s fourth manufacturing unit in Brazil to operate entirely on renewable energy derived from waste. This portfolio already includes plants in Vinhedo and Indaiatuba, both in São Paulo, and in Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, which use biometano, biogas, and biomass, respectively. Collectively, Unilever’s Brazilian factories that utilize renewable energy sources prevent the emission of more than 40,000 tons of CO₂ annually.
The supply agreement with Edge not only confirms Unilever’s ongoing commitment to sustainability but also marks Edge’s official expansion into the consumer goods sector. Since its foundation in early 2024, Edge has signed contracts with over 50 clients across eight Brazilian states, primarily serving industrial segments such as ceramics, petrochemicals, and glass manufacturing. The partnership with Unilever aligns with Edge’s mission to foster the reindustrialization of Brazil through sustainable solutions and to promote biometano as a critical component of the country’s energy future.
Unilever’s broader environmental agenda aims to achieve zero absolute direct emissions (scope 1 and scope 2) in its operations by 2030. The company’s efforts have already borne fruit in Brazil, where 80% of its production volume is powered by clean energy, enabling the reduction of its carbon footprint while maintaining industrial efficiency. This commitment also responds to growing consumer demand for sustainable products and supports global initiatives to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The biometano used in Valinhos is transported by trucks fueled with the same renewable gas, avoiding reliance on pipelines or fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. This logistical solution further minimizes the overall environmental impact and reflects investments Unilever has made to adapt its infrastructure for renewable gas consumption. The biometano’s clean-burning properties reduce methane emissions—a greenhouse gas up to 80 times more potent than CO₂—by handling landfill waste in an environmentally responsible manner.
By adopting biometano at the Valinhos site, Unilever reinforces its leadership in the transition to a low-carbon economy in Brazil. This transition not only addresses climate imperatives but also advances the diversification and resilience of the nation’s energy matrix. Coupled with ongoing investments in factory expansions and automated logistics hubs elsewhere in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, Unilever’s initiatives reflect a deepened regional commitment to sustainable industrial development.
As the demand for renewable energy grows in Brazil’s industrial landscape, partnerships like that between Unilever and Edge demonstrate a viable pathway toward decarbonization where innovation, scale, and environmental responsibility converge.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
