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Agricultural News
By Jhonatas Simião
Use of current sugarcane straw through new technology could increase ethanol production in Brazil by up to 50%, to around 50 billion l
The 2nd generation biofuel has taken its first steps in Brazil, with two ethanol plants of this type of technology in operation and a small production of around 50 million liters, but it has great potential for growth in the country and in the world in the coming years. focusing on sustainability through biorefineries.
“Basically, the 2nd generation technology seeks to extract the sugars that are stored in plant fibers. Here in Brazil, we have large areas of sugarcane and we have the bagasse and straw left over from the mills, and practically 70% of the content of this biomass is made up of sugars”, explains José Bressiani, director of agricultural technologies at Granbio.
Only with the use of sugarcane straw at current levels through 2nd generation technology would it be possible to increase ethanol production in Brazil by up to 50%, increasing the current 33 billion liters produced to about 50 billion l , following the goals established within the scope of the federal program RenovaBio.
“We need to increase productivity within the same hectare that we have. So, if you can use biomass, which today has no application, to convert it into fuel, you will be increasing the productivity of the hectare and making your fuel cheaper”, points out Bressiani in reference to the future of the sector.
The expert believes that part of RenovaBio's goals by 2030 will be met precisely with the use of 2nd generation ethanol, the traditional 1st generation and also through corn ethanol, which has also been growing. In addition, there are related demands around the world, such as India, which increased the blending of ethanol in gasoline.