Evolução dos aspectos regulatórios e estimativa do potencial de produção de metano a partir de resíduos animais: um estudo de caso em Misiones (Argentina) e Oeste do Paraná (Brasil)

Abstract

This study presents a documentary and comparative analysis of the methane production potential from animal production waste in the province of Misiones (Argentina) and the western region of the state of Paraná (Brazil), along with a review of the regulatory developments related to biogas and biomethane in both territories. The main objective was to estimate the theoretical methane volume using official animal population data and technical parameters from the literature, to identify differences in production scale, waste availability, and the level of regulatory development. The methodology combined the collection of updated statistical data (cattle, swine, and poultry) with waste generation factors, volatile solids content, and specific methane yields. The results show that Misiones has an annual potential of 7.05 million m³ of methane, with cattle contributing the most (88%), in a dispersed production context with densities of 8 cattle/km², 6 poultry/km², and 2 swine/km². In contrast, western Paraná has a potential of 456 million m³/year, driven by intensive systems that concentrate 140 million poultry and 4.5 million swine, reaching densities of 3,117 poultry/km² and 101 pigs/km². The comparison reveals that Paraná's potential is approximately sixty times greater in absolute terms, and this difference persists even when normalized by area (10,144 vs. 243 m³/year·km²) or per capita (304 vs. 5 m³/hab.year). The regulatory review shows significant progress in Brazil, with more specific and stable policies, while Argentina and Misiones exhibit more recent and general regulatory development. Overall, the findings highlight that utilizing animal waste for methane production represents a strategic opportunity for the energy transition and territorial sustainability in both regions.