The Vice President of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin, was at the headquarters of Be8, in Passo Fundo (RS), this Friday, August 4, for the announcement of the construction of the first large-scale ethanol plant in Rio Grande do Sul The event was attended by Eduardo Leite, governor of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo Pimenta, minister of the Presidency’s Social Communication Secretariat, and Pedro Almeida, mayor of Passo Fundo.
Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services Alckmin has been an important voice in defense of the biofuels sector and its benefits for the economy, employment, health and the environment. On this occasion, we celebrate the announcement of this investment in the construction of the plant producing ethanol and bran from the processing of cereals such as corn, wheat, triticale, among others. This is another step towards expanding our biofuel production capacity here in the South Region.
Currently, the state imports 99% of its ethanol demand and the new plant will supply 23% of this need. The initiative will also represent an increase in the supply of bran for animal protein production chains, in addition to promoting investment in the development of genetic technology for the production of specific wheat for ethanol production and being a viable income opportunity for the farmer with the winter cereal crop.
The actions articulated within the scope of the respective spheres of power will enable the investment of approximately R$ 556 million in the unit. Earthworks in the 80-hectare area are scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 and operations for the third quarter of 2025.
With the project, Be8 will generate around 150 direct jobs and 700 indirect jobs in the operation phase, with 1,000 indirect jobs in the construction phase, giving preference to hiring local labor, promoting training and qualification of labor -specialized work for new investments, maintenance and operation of the unit.
Be8 is structuring, with teaching institutions, technical training and professional improvement courses with the aim of developing and training qualified professionals for the new factory and other industrial processes of the company.
The company will also prioritize the direct and indirect contracting of companies established in Passo Fundo to carry out investments. The plant will be flexible for the production of anhydrous ethanol (which can be added to gasoline) or hydrous (direct consumption) and will have a capacity of 220 million liters.
As the region has low conditions to use sugarcane as a raw material, the new factory will process 525 thousand tons of cereals per year and, thus, encourage the production of new winter crops in the region, generating a high impact and value, being an alternative to farmers for new crops during this period.
Be8 will also offer the market bran from ethanol production. Known as DDGS (Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles) or Distillery Grains with Solubles (in Portuguese), obtained immediately after the fermentation process of ethanol production. This is an important co-product of the grain fermentation process, with great potential for use in the production of animal feed for the food production chain. 155 thousand tons per year of bran will be produced for the animal protein chain.