Paraguay's industry and commerce ministry has set the country's mandatory biodiesel blend at 8-10pc, giving the market its first operational benchmark under the new biofuels framework.
The decision, reached on 19 June, marks the government's first concrete move following this year's legislative change to Paraguay's biodiesel regime, which expanded the legal blending range to 5-20pc. By setting the initial operating band at 8-10pc, the government is moving above the previous mandate while stopping well short of the new statutory ceiling. The blend takes effect 30 days after its approval.
The ministry framed the higher blend as part of a broader strategy to displace imported fuels with domestically produced biofuels, saying the shift would deliver economic and environmental gains, strengthen energy security and support efforts to mitigate climate change.
The text also underscores the government's intention to provide the biofuels sector with a more predictable framework for investment.
Paraguay's biofuels industry welcomed the decision. In a 23 June statement, the Paraguayan Chamber of Biofuels and Renewable Energies (Biocap) said the regulation marks an important step toward a more diversified energy matrix, greater national energy security and lower dependence on imported fuels. Biocap also said Paraguay has installed industrial capacity, feedstock availability and technical know-how to support further growth in biofuels.
The industry group also sought to address compatibility concerns around higher blends, saying international experience shows biodiesel blends that comply with existing quality specifications are compatible with the normal operation of diesel engines. Biocap added that fuel quality and compliance with technical standards will be critical for sustainable sector growth.
