Sugar Industry Will Play Major Role in Global Energy Market, a "Navigating the Currents of Change" Webcast on Industrialinfo.com

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Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) continues to broaden its reach into new markets as a global company by expanding coverage of the Food & Beverage Industry, with emphasis on sugar factories around the world. The company chose to focus on the sugar industry because of its process-intensive nature and its close ties to energy markets in terms of fuel and electricity.

In looking at the industry, Brazil in particular, being the world's largest producer of sugarcane, became the focus of the company's initial research efforts. Not only did Industrial Info recognize Brazil for its rank in the global sugar industry, but the company saw that sugar was going to play a major role in the region's thirst for future power generation. Brazil and nearby countries are facing the challenge of both long- and near-term electricity shortages, as well as the need to diversify energy supplies, which consist of more than 80% hydroelectric power. Bagasse, the remnants of sugarcane crushing and processing, is the primary source of fuel at power plants within the country's more than 360 sugar factories. Moreover, those factories are energy-independent and can generate excess electricity to supply national and regional grids.

Brazil is projecting an increase in bagasse-based electrical generating capacity from slightly more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) currently, to about 7,000 MW in the next five years, and to 15,000 MW by 2020. Many of the country's sugar factories are planning expansion projects to increase sugar and electrical output.

Industrial Info has reported on nearly $3 billion in capital spending opportunities tied to sugar factory expansions, including power generating plants and units in South America. In addition to project spending reports, the company has developed plant profiles of sugar factories and power generating units in Brazil, as well as plant profiles in neighboring countries, and in Europe, India and Australia.

According to Randy Godet, Industrial Info's VP of Research for the Food & Beverage Industry, "Electricity is the lifeline of any developing and modern country and requires steady, affordable and sustainable sources to ensure economic stability and growth. Sugarcane could spark a revolution in bioelectricity similar to ethanol in the alternative fuel markets. Sugarcane is a source of clean and renewable energy and has the added benefit of being carbon-neutral."

Beyond Brazil, sugarcane is grown in more than 100 countries around the world and has the potential to offer some of the same advantages and benefits as a source of renewable energy.

Join Mr. Godet as we discuss the global sugar industry and the increasing role it is playing in the world's energy markets, particularly in South America, on this edition of "Navigating the Currents of Change" on Industrialinfo.com.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy related markets. For more than 26 years, Industrial Info has provided plant and project spending opportunity databases, market forecasts, high resolution maps, and daily industry news.