Data from the National Corn Ethanol Union projects growth in Brazilian corn ethanol production to 6 billion liters in the 2023/2024 harvest
By Aldirene Gama (SEDEME)
04/25/2024 10:29 am
In São Paulo (SP), the Secretary of Economic Development, Mining and Energy (Sedeme), Paulo Bengtson, participated, on Wednesday (24), in a meeting with representatives of Grão Pará Bioenergia to discuss the future installation of a refinery of biofuels in Redenção, southeast of Pará, with a focus on corn ethanol production. Corn ethanol is considered a renewable energy source and less polluting than fossil fuels. During the meeting, the results of research covering the economic viability of investments, raw material production and other relevant topics were presented.
According to the owner of Sedeme, the data presented by the company indicate that negotiations for the implementation of the refinery are progressing positively, indicating a favorable scenario for the company’s installation in the State. With the arrival of the refinery, Pará will take a significant step in the decarbonization process, attracting sustainable investments and contributing to improving the State’s performance in the quest for neutrality in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The proposal to install the refinery was presented to the government of Pará in March 2024. The planned investments exceed R$2 billion by 2029, and foresee the creation of more than 600 direct jobs and around 3 thousand indirect jobs. The company Grão Pará Bioenergia is formed by the Mafra Group, which operates in the area of agriculture and livestock, and the CMAA group, in the sugar and alcohol sector.
The project is expected to process more than 1.5 million tons of corn per year, further boosting sustainable economic development in the state. In addition to ethanol, the industry will also produce DDGS, a by-product rich in protein used in animal feed, which will open up new business opportunities considering the State’s livestock potential.
According to projections by the National Corn Ethanol Union (Unem), Brazilian corn ethanol production should reach 6 billion liters in the 2023/2024 harvest, an increase of 36% compared to the previous cycle and 800% in the last five years.
