The ‘AHK Brazil 4 (H2)’ project, implemented by the German-Brazil Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Brasilien) as part of the Export Initiative for Environmental Protection (EXI), has been successfully completed. Its aim was to identify ways in which green hydrogen technologies can be used in Brazil’s wastewater management sector, particularly in the state of Paraná. The team also developed approaches for introducing these technologies in a sustainable manner.
Alongside the AHK in Rio de Janeiro, the project partners also included Brazilian sewage treatment plant operator Sanepar, Brazilian research institute CI Biogas and German company Bluemove Consulting. After the project was completed, Sanepar commissioned Bluemove Consulting to conduct a feasibility study. This study built on the project results and used methane plasmalysis from the German technology provider Graforce to examine specific implementation paths.
Both the manufacturer’s technology offering, as well as detailed facility parameters, were incorporated into the potential analysis for hydrogen production. Compared to biomethane steam reforming and electrolysis, methane plasmalysis proved to be the most economical and climate-friendly approach for the Belém sewage treatment plant in Curitiba.
Planned implementation in Curitiba
Based on the feasibility study, Sanepar now plans to install components for upstream biomethane production and subsequent hydrogen production via methane plasmalysis. According to the study, the overall project can save around 7,000 tonnes of CO2eq per year, with very low CO2 avoidance costs of approximately €50/tonne. With additional CO2 liquefaction, an additional 3,000 tonnes of CO2eq/a can be saved. The German-Brazilian project therefore shows how sustainability technologies can contribute to reducing environmental impact.
The feasibility study will serve as a basis for developing a possible financing package for hydrogen production using methane plasmalysis. The partners are also examining options for financing through KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). Sanepar expects a decision in the fourth quarter of 2025.
About EXI
Since 2016, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN – Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit) has supported German GreenTech SMEs in disseminating innovative environmental technologies ‘Made in Germany’ via its funding programme, EXI. The goal is to create optimised environmental conditions for sustainable development and better environmental and living conditions in the target countries. By supporting appropriate infrastructure, the EXI projects contribute to implementing green public services and environmentally-friendly services globally. NOW GmbH is responsible for EXI’s focus on green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in decentralised energy supply since 2021. As the EXI project management organisation, Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH (Future – Environment – Society) has supported the Federal Environment Ministry in carrying out its tasks since 2022. More information on EXI can be found here.
About NOW GmbH
Since 2008, NOW GmbH has been supporting the federal government’s targets in its climate and industrial policy. The tasks of the federally-owned company include developing, monitoring and evaluating funding programmes about climate-neutral mobility and energy supply. NOW GmbH experts supervise projects in the areas of hydrogen, fuel cells, battery and renewable fuels. They reimagine mobility and fuels for cars, buses, trains, commercial vehicles, ships and airplanes, and support the establishment and further development of charging infrastructure and hydrogen refuelling stations for cars and trucks. More information on NOW can be found here.
