Brazil's national oil giant Petrobras has developed the formula H-Bio, which adds hydrogenated vegetable oil to diesel, improving the quality of the fuel and reducing pollution. The innovation, which will make its debut in 2007 with 10 percent vegetable oil but is effective with up to 18 percent, promises to expand agriculture-based energy sources and contribute to improving the global environment.

Brazil will thus reduce its diesel imports and open a new market for plant-based oils — which is a cause of concern to some environmental groups.

The negative side is that it would increase monoculture of soybeans, which contributes to the deforestation of the Amazon and other ecosystems, Délcio Rodrigues, energy expert for the environmental group Vitae Civilis, told Tierramérica.