Construction begins on Brazilian cellulosic plant

Raízen Energia Participacoes S/A has begun construction of a $100 million commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Brazil using Iogen Energy’s advanced cellulosic biofuel technology. Iogen Energy is a joint venture of Raízen and Iogen Corp. 

The 40 MMly (10 MMgy) facility will be located adjacent to Raízen’s Costa Pinto sugar cane mill in Piracicaba, São Paulo. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in the fourth quarter of this year. 

“This announcement is just the beginning of our partnership with Iogen,” said Vasco Dias, CEO of Raízen. “We believe Iogen has the most robust, well-proven, and competitive technology platform in the cellulosic ethanol business and, after this first facility is complete, we plan to combine Iogen’s cellulosic ethanol with seven more of our sugar cane production operations. We see tremendous potential for this technology in meeting the world’s growing demand for cleaner and more sustainable fuels, and we anticipate a long and profitable future.”