Brazil Seeks Comeback for Second-Generation Ethanol, an Industrial Info Market Brief

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Between 2014 and 2015, sugar and ethanol mills in Brazil were enthusiastic about the possibility of producing second-generation ethanol from straw and bagasse. New pilot ethanol unit and distillery upgrade projects, to adapt the equipment to produce cellulosic ethanol, started to appear in the sector.

However, feasibility studies determined production of cellulosic ethanol was expensive, due in large part to the costs of enzymes used in the process.

Raizen and GranBio are the only two Brazilian companies producing second-generation ethanol, and both depend on the import of enzymes that are produced only by three companies worldwide.

But the situation could change. The Sugarcane Technology Center (CTC) of Brazil and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) announced they have developed a cocktail from three microorganisms, including transgenics, which will reduce the cost of making cellulosic ethanol viable.

Click here for a list of related projects and here for a list of related projects.