MAHLE is marking the first anniversary of its Global Biomobility Center in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. The center was launched to leverage MAHLE's knowledge and partner network in South America to support the global development of biofuels and biomaterials for future mobility.
Since its inception, the center has initiated eight development projects in partnership with customers and research institutes. The facility has also taken on the role of monitoring global trends and government actions regarding biofuel adoption, beginning knowledge transfer initiatives to North America and Asia.
"Sustainable fuels need to be scaled up rapidly and globally to slow global warming," said Arnd Franz, chairman of the Group Management Board and CEO of MAHLE. "MAHLE is strongly promoting an increase in biofuel blending to match the shares reached in Brazil or India across the world. By 2030, more than 20% of global fuel consumption must come from renewable resources to meet zero-emission targets. The MAHLE Biomobility Center is working with governments, regulators, and industry players in India, Thailand, Japan, and other countries to reach this goal."
"The Global Biomobility Center was created with the mission of being MAHLE's global competence center in research and development for the development and application of biofuels and biomaterials, enabling their use on a larger scale throughout the world, supporting global decarbonization," said Everton Lopes, head of the MAHLE Technology Center in Brazil and responsible for the Global Biomobility Center.
The center's projects span various applications, including the development of cellulosic filter medium and activated carbon from biomass, an Ethanol Power Cell Unit to increase flex-fuel engine efficiency, and a multifuel medium-duty engine running on biomethane and ethanol. Fifty percent of projects are developed with Brazilian research institutes and funded through government programs including MOVER, Embrapii, and FAPEMIG, while others involve direct partnerships with OEMs, automotive suppliers, and energy sector companies.
MAHLE views highly efficient and sustainable internal combustion engines as a key strategic field alongside electrification and thermal management, particularly when operated with renewable fuels such as hydrogen, synthetic fuels, or biofuels.
