Be8 has commenced construction on its new ethanol plant, which will be the first large-scale facility in the state dedicated to producing biofuel from cereals, as well as Brazil’s first vital gluten production plant.
Erasmo Carlos Battistella, president of Be8, remarked, “Today marks the beginning of a dream realized with this industrial project in Passo Fundo. It promises development and opportunities for our region while contributing to the country’s energy transition through a sustainable energy solution.”
He emphasized that this isn’t merely a factory but an industrial complex that will host four facilities, producing human food (vital gluten), renewable energy (ethanol), and animal feed (bran) with a high degree of innovation, thus highlighting Passo Fundo and Rio Grande do Sul in this industry.
Leandro Luiz Zat, vice president of operations, noted, “The innovative aspects of this project signify a new era for agriculture in Rio Grande do Sul. It will enhance the entire production chain by optimizing the use of our winter crop areas and advancing wheat genetic development to satisfy demands in both the food and clean energy sectors.”
The initial phase involves moving 1.5 million cubic meters of soil through cutting and filling across an 80-hectare site, with the constructed area of the plant covering around 40 hectares, or more than 63,000 square meters.
Expected to begin operations in 2026, the ethanol plant is projected to create over 800 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 175 direct jobs once operational.
The contract for process licensing, plant design, and engineering has been awarded to Praj, a leading Indian company specializing in bio-based technologies, engineering, and modular solutions with a global footprint.
A key feature of Praj’s approach is the project’s energy efficiency, which aims to deliver a high-quality product at the lowest operational costs, backed by extensive experience in cereal-based ethanol production.
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