By Brazil Stock Guide – Acelen, the energy company backed by Mubadala Capital, said it has reduced water consumption by 23.8% at its Mataripe refinery in Brazil since 2022, while increasing water reuse to a record 56% in 2025, highlighting efficiency gains alongside its broader modernization strategy.
The refinery lowered water usage from 1,684 cubic meters per hour in 2022 to 1,284 m³/h, a reduction of 400 m³/h. According to the company, the savings are equivalent to supplying a city of roughly 80,000 people, offering a tangible benchmark for the scale of resource optimization.
Operational Efficiency Gains
The decline in water intensity reflects a broader push to streamline industrial processes and reduce reliance on external water sources. Acelen also reported a 20% drop in water consumption per barrel processed, a key metric that measures efficiency in refining operations.
These improvements are linked to investments in process optimization, technological upgrades and internal water recirculation systems, allowing the refinery to maintain output while reducing freshwater intake.
The increase in reuse rates—from 37% in 2022 to 56% in 2025—marks the highest level ever recorded at the facility, indicating a structural shift in how water is managed within the operation.
Strategic Resource Management
Water management has become a central pillar of Acelen’s strategy as it seeks to balance industrial activity with environmental constraints, particularly in regions where water availability can be a limiting factor.
The company said the results reflect a combination of efficiency initiatives and infrastructure improvements designed to maximize resource utilization while minimizing environmental impact.
This approach is part of a broader effort to modernize the Mataripe refinery, one of Brazil’s key privately operated refining assets following its transfer from state control in recent years.
Link to Energy Transition
Beyond refining, Acelen has been expanding into renewable fuels and bioenergy projects that also emphasize water efficiency. The company has highlighted the importance of reducing the water footprint of new energy supply chains, particularly in the development of feedstocks for advanced biofuels.
The integration of water efficiency into both traditional refining and renewable fuel initiatives reflects a wider industry shift, as energy companies face growing pressure to improve environmental performance while sustaining production.
Scaling Efficiency
Acelen said it will continue to prioritize water optimization as part of its long-term strategy, linking resource efficiency directly to production capacity and asset value.
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