Brazilian Federal Court orders auction of Refit refinery land over tax debt

The Brazilian federal government has initiated a tax foreclosure against Refit, resulting in the scheduled auction of the land and facilities of the Manguinhos refinery in Rio de Janeiro. The auction, set for September 9, 2026, with a minimum bid of R$ 11.77 million, marks the culmination of a long-standing legal dispute over land ownership and tax liabilities. It remains uncertain whether the sale will lead to the permanent decommissioning of the refinery site or if a new operator will attempt to repurpose the industrial assets.