New revision estimates 2011/2012 harvest will be 510.24 million tons in South-Central Brazil

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), in partnership with the Sugarcane Technology Center (CTC), other unions and associations of the South-Central region of Brazil, revised the crushing estimates for the 2011/2012 harvest released on July 2011. The new forecast estimates a crushing of 510.24 million tons, a reduction of 4.36% in comparison to the last revision (533.50 million tons) and a total reduction of 8.39% over the final value of the 2010/2011 harvest (556.95 million tons).


UNICA’s Technical Director, Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, explains “the data collected in July showed that frost and flowering of the cane impacted agricultural productivity of cane fields with greater intensity that we had initially anticipated.” These factors also promote a change in harvest schedule for the mills, since many will have to anticipate this work in areas hit by frost and flowering, which further aggravated the situation.


According to data compiled by the CTC, agricultural productivity in harvested areas in July was 70.80 tons of cane per hectare, a drop of 17.48% in comparison to the value observed in July 2010. Total agricultural productivity since the beginning of the harvest remained at 74.10 tons of cane per hectare, against 92.80 observed in the same period last year (down 20.15%).


UNICA, the CTC and other unions and associations of producers will continue to biweekly monitor the production and the conditions of the sugarcane field until the end of the harvest. “Our goal is to communicate clearly, transparently and based on all the details of the production in South-Central Brazil, to facilitate the planning of producers and other public and private agents,” affirms Rodrigues.

Quality of Raw Material and Production

The new estimate for the 2011/2012 harvest presents a quality of raw material measured in Total Recoverable Sugars (ATR in Portuguese) of 135.10 kg per ton of cane, a slight reduction in face of 135.70 kg reported in the previous estimate.


Out of the total cane projected for the 2011/2012 harvest, UNICA estimates that 48.06% will be destined for sugar production. The projection of 31.57 million tons, a drop of 2.50% in comparison to the last estimate, and of 5.76% in relation to the 33.50 million tons produced in the 2010/2011 harvest.


On the other hand, ethanol production should reach 21.00 billion liters, down 6.83% in relation to the projected number in the last revision, and 17.25% over the 25.39 billion liters of the last harvest.


Sugar and ethanol exports

According to the new estimate, sugar exports should reach 22.32 million tons during this harvest. Ethanol exports should present a 23.60% drop in relation to the volume observed last year, totaling 1.35 billion liters in the 2011/2012 harvest. UNICA’s Director explains that “the majority of the exports refers to sealed deals in the past and that had to be met in this harvest.”


EVOLUTION OF THE 2011/2012 HARVEST UNTIL AUGUST 1ST, 2011



Crushing

The volume of sugarcane processed by mills in South-Central Brazil added 41.60 million tons in the second half of July, down 2.48% in comparison to the same period in the 2010/2011 harvest. Total crushing since the beginning of the harvest was 259.06 million tons, a 13.02% drop in relation to the 2010/2011 harvest.


Quality of Raw Material

Total quantity of ATR since the beginning of the harvest until August 1st reached 128.32 kg, a reduction of 3.13% in relation to the value registered during the same period in 2010.


In a bi-weekly comparison, this drop reached 4.06%, with a ATR concentration totaling 141.90 kg per ton of cane in the second half of July, against 147.90 kg in the same period in the 2010/2011 harvest.

Production

Sugar production reached 14.76 million tons since the beginning of the harvest until August 1st, against 16.79 million in the same period of 2010. In comparison to ethanol, the volume produced added 10.42 billion liters, against 12.88 billion liters last year.


In the second half of July, sugar production reached 2.82 million tons, a quantity 1.77% superior to that observed in the last harvest. During this same period, ethanol production reached 1.72 billion liters – of which 1.04 billion was hydrous ethanol and 685.00 million was anhydrous ethanol.


“The producers are committed to the production of anhydrous ethanol and in the last month production grew 26.24% compared to 2010, even with no increase in sugarcane crushing during this period,” the UNICA executive said.

Ethanol sales

Ethanol sales by mills in the South-Central region totaled 2.07 billion liters in July, of which only 303.49 million liters were destined to the external market.


Of the total volume, 722.56 million liters referred to anhydrous ethanol and 1.34 billion liters of hydrous ethanol. In the domestic market, hydrous ethanol sales reached 639.93 million liters, and hydrous 1.12 billion liters in the last month.


From April to August 1st, sales of the products totaled 7.16 billion liters, 16.71% below the total sold during the same period last year. For UNICA’s Director, “ethanol prices to producers have been almost stable for 40 days, unlike what happened in other years: we are not observing sharp declines during the harvest, which in general lead to an excessive seasonality between periods of harvest and off season.”

New revision estimates 2011/2012 harvest will be 510.24 million tons in South-Central Brazil

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), in partnership with the Sugarcane Technology Center (CTC), other unions and associations of the South-Central region of Brazil, revised the crushing estimates for the 2011/2012 harvest released on July 2011. The new forecast estimates a crushing of 510.24 million tons, a reduction of 4.36% in comparison to the last revision (533.50 million tons) and a total reduction of 8.39% over the final value of the 2010/2011 harvest (556.95 million tons).



UNICA’s Technical Director, Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, explains “the data collected in July showed that frost and flowering of the cane impacted agricultural productivity of cane fields with greater intensity that we had initially anticipated.” These factors also promote a change in harvest schedule for the mills, since many will have to anticipate this work in areas hit by frost and flowering, which further aggravated the situation.



According to data compiled by the CTC, agricultural productivity in harvested areas in July was 70.80 tons of cane per hectare, a drop of 17.48% in comparison to the value observed in July 2010. Total agricultural productivity since the beginning of the harvest remained at 74.10 tons of cane per hectare, against 92.80 observed in the same period last year (down 20.15%).



UNICA, the CTC and other unions and associations of producers will continue to biweekly monitor the production and the conditions of the sugarcane field until the end of the harvest. “Our goal is to communicate clearly, transparently and based on all the details of the production in South-Central Brazil, to facilitate the planning of producers and other public and private agents,” affirms Rodrigues.

Quality of Raw Material and Production

The new estimate for the 2011/2012 harvest presents a quality of raw material measured in Total Recoverable Sugars (ATR in Portuguese) of 135.10 kg per ton of cane, a slight reduction in face of 135.70 kg reported in the previous estimate.



Out of the total cane projected for the 2011/2012 harvest, UNICA estimates that 48.06% will be destined for sugar production. The projection of 31.57 million tons, a drop of 2.50% in comparison to the last estimate, and of 5.76% in relation to the 33.50 million tons produced in the 2010/2011 harvest.



On the other hand, ethanol production should reach 21.00 billion liters, down 6.83% in relation to the projected number in the last revision, and 17.25% over the 25.39 billion liters of the last harvest.



Sugar and ethanol exports

According to the new estimate, sugar exports should reach 22.32 million tons during this harvest. Ethanol exports should present a 23.60% drop in relation to the volume observed last year, totaling 1.35 billion liters in the 2011/2012 harvest. UNICA’s Director explains that “the majority of the exports refers to sealed deals in the past and that had to be met in this harvest.”



EVOLUTION OF THE 2011/2012 HARVEST UNTIL AUGUST 1ST, 2011



Crushing

The volume of sugarcane processed by mills in South-Central Brazil added 41.60 million tons in the second half of July, down 2.48% in comparison to the same period in the 2010/2011 harvest. Total crushing since the beginning of the harvest was 259.06 million tons, a 13.02% drop in relation to the 2010/2011 harvest.



Quality of Raw Material

Total quantity of ATR since the beginning of the harvest until August 1st reached 128.32 kg, a reduction of 3.13% in relation to the value registered during the same period in 2010.



In a bi-weekly comparison, this drop reached 4.06%, with a ATR concentration totaling 141.90 kg per ton of cane in the second half of July, against 147.90 kg in the same period in the 2010/2011 harvest.

Production

Sugar production reached 14.76 million tons since the beginning of the harvest until August 1st, against 16.79 million in the same period of 2010. In comparison to ethanol, the volume produced added 10.42 billion liters, against 12.88 billion liters last year.



In the second half of July, sugar production reached 2.82 million tons, a quantity 1.77% superior to that observed in the last harvest. During this same period, ethanol production reached 1.72 billion liters – of which 1.04 billion was hydrous ethanol and 685.00 million was anhydrous ethanol.



“The producers are committed to the production of anhydrous ethanol and in the last month production grew 26.24% compared to 2010, even with no increase in sugarcane crushing during this period,” the UNICA executive said.

Ethanol sales

Ethanol sales by mills in the South-Central region totaled 2.07 billion liters in July, of which only 303.49 million liters were destined to the external market.



Of the total volume, 722.56 million liters referred to anhydrous ethanol and 1.34 billion liters of hydrous ethanol. In the domestic market, hydrous ethanol sales reached 639.93 million liters, and hydrous 1.12 billion liters in the last month.



From April to August 1st, sales of the products totaled 7.16 billion liters, 16.71% below the total sold during the same period last year. For UNICA’s Director, “ethanol prices to producers have been almost stable for 40 days, unlike what happened in other years: we are not observing sharp declines during the harvest, which in general lead to an excessive seasonality between periods of harvest and off season.”

Chegada de bioplásticos a Tetra Pak e Nestlé reforça importante tendência de uso da cana-de-açúcar

Embalagem com tampa de polietileno feita a partir de cana-de-açúcar acaba de ser lançada (Foto: Tetra Pak) Embalagens sustentáveis fabricadas a partir de derivados de cana-de-açúcar estão deixando de ser um nicho e ganhando cada vez mais espaço no mercado, avalia o consultor de Tecnologia e Emissões da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (UNICA), Alfred Szwarc. Segundo ele, iniciativas recentes como a da Braskem, Tetra Pak e a Nestlé Brasil são um indício de que esse processo esteja ganhando força. No final do mês julho, as três companhias anunciaram um acordo para uso de embalagens com tampas de polietileno, fabricadas a partir de cana, para os produtos das marcas Ninho e Molico. “O que assistimos é fantástico. Basta lembrar o importante projeto da PlantBottle envolvendo a Coca-Cola e agora empresas do porte da Heinz, TetraPak e Nestlé utilizando embalagens completas ou componentes dessas embalagens produzidos de bioplásticos. A percepção é que a indústria está cada vez mais atenta às vantagens de se produzir bioplásticos a partir de uma matéria-prima como a cana, cujas vantagens para absorção de gases que causam o efeito estufa são enormes quando comparadas às que utilizam petróleo,” afirma Szwarc. O Brasil foi o primeiro país da América Latina a comercializar embalagens feitas com bioplástico, fabricadas a partir de cana-de-açúcar. Empresas como Procter & Gamble, Danone, Coca-Cola e Heinz, se destacaram como pioneiras no uso de biopolietileno e bioPET criados a partir do caldo da cana. Valor agregado Para Ivan Zurita, presidente da Nestlé Brasil, com o uso das novas tampas a empresa espera estimular a consciência ambiental ao proporcionar aos consumidores um produto que utiliza fontes renováveis na fabricação de sua embalagem. “Além disso, a nova embalagem agrega valor às mercadorias,” ressalta. Já Paulo Nigro, presidente da Tetra Pak Brasil, enfatiza que a embalagem de polietileno de cana é apenas o primeiro passo para a criação de outra versão, que será 100% sustentável. "Com a inovação, a Tetra Pak reforça o compromisso com seus clientes e a sociedade em trabalhar por um planeta mais saudável e sustentável," explica. Quanto à parceria, o presidente da Braskem, Carlos Fadigas, diz que o acordo fortalece o compromisso social. “Participar dessa iniciativa ao lado de empresas que são líderes globais em seus setores de atuação é muito importante e reforça o compromisso com a promoção da sustentabilidade,” concluiu.

Chegada de bioplásticos a Tetra Pak e Nestlé reforça importante tendência de uso da cana-de-açúcar

Embalagem com tampa de polietileno feita a partir de cana-de-açúcar acaba de ser lançada (Foto: Tetra Pak) Embalagens sustentáveis fabricadas a partir de derivados de cana-de-açúcar estão deixando de ser um nicho e ganhando cada vez mais espaço no mercado, avalia o consultor de Tecnologia e Emissões da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (UNICA), Alfred Szwarc. Segundo ele, iniciativas recentes como a da Braskem, Tetra Pak e a Nestlé Brasil são um indício de que esse processo esteja ganhando força. No final do mês julho, as três companhias anunciaram um acordo para uso de embalagens com tampas de polietileno, fabricadas a partir de cana, para os produtos das marcas Ninho e Molico. “O que assistimos é fantástico. Basta lembrar o importante projeto da PlantBottle envolvendo a Coca-Cola e agora empresas do porte da Heinz, TetraPak e Nestlé utilizando embalagens completas ou componentes dessas embalagens produzidos de bioplásticos. A percepção é que a indústria está cada vez mais atenta às vantagens de se produzir bioplásticos a partir de uma matéria-prima como a cana, cujas vantagens para absorção de gases que causam o efeito estufa são enormes quando comparadas às que utilizam petróleo,” afirma Szwarc. O Brasil foi o primeiro país da América Latina a comercializar embalagens feitas com bioplástico, fabricadas a partir de cana-de-açúcar. Empresas como Procter & Gamble, Danone, Coca-Cola e Heinz, se destacaram como pioneiras no uso de biopolietileno e bioPET criados a partir do caldo da cana. Valor agregado Para Ivan Zurita, presidente da Nestlé Brasil, com o uso das novas tampas a empresa espera estimular a consciência ambiental ao proporcionar aos consumidores um produto que utiliza fontes renováveis na fabricação de sua embalagem. “Além disso, a nova embalagem agrega valor às mercadorias,” ressalta. Já Paulo Nigro, presidente da Tetra Pak Brasil, enfatiza que a embalagem de polietileno de cana é apenas o primeiro passo para a criação de outra versão, que será 100% sustentável. "Com a inovação, a Tetra Pak reforça o compromisso com seus clientes e a sociedade em trabalhar por um planeta mais saudável e sustentável," explica. Quanto à parceria, o presidente da Braskem, Carlos Fadigas, diz que o acordo fortalece o compromisso social. “Participar dessa iniciativa ao lado de empresas que são líderes globais em seus setores de atuação é muito importante e reforça o compromisso com a promoção da sustentabilidade,” concluiu.

Dow-Mitsui Brazilian bioplastics project reveals new investment path for sugarcane

Although not yet a trend, it can be described as an impressive early step with more to come. A joint-venture between U.S. multinational Dow Chemical and Japan’s Mitsui, announced in Brazil on July 19th, will result in the construction of a new sugarcane processing unit dedicated to manufacturing bioplastics and biopolymers. Amounts invested were not disclosed, but each company will have a 50% stake in the new mill, to be located in Santa Victoria, in Minas Gerais state. The cane-based polymers will be utilized in the production of flexible packaging, medical products and toiletries. “What we are seeing is an important product diversification, the use of sugarcane and ethanol in a dedicated unit that will manufacture green polyethylene from renewable fuel instead of naphtha, which is produced from fossil fuels. As the volumes will certainly not be small, the project opens the possibility that other groups will start to focus not only on sugar and ethanol, but also products with higher value-added, as in this case," said Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, technical director of the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). Niche market The project is within objectives set by Dow, to develop low-carbon solutions in tune with the global challenges of energy and climate change. "This historic operation reinforces Dow's commitment to invest in the development of sectors that involve high innovation and value through strategic partnerships," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow chairman and CEO. "The agreement also brings together the strengths of two global companies, creating a unique combination of global technology leadership and access to renewable raw materials to meet the needs of an important and fast-growing region," he added. "Bioplastics are still uncharted territory, and we believe that this niche can expand faster than our expectations," said a Mitsui executive who asked not to be named. Persistency UNICA’s Rodrigues points out that Dow’s insistence was key element in the success of the new venture. "Since 2006 there were already plans to build a dedicated mill with a different partner. Now, the effort got off the ground with Mitsui, a solid company that is capable of providing longevity and consistency to the project,” said the executive. The first phase of the project includes the construction of the new mill, which will process sugarcane into ethanol. Work is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2011.

Dow-Mitsui Brazilian bioplastics project reveals new investment path for sugarcane

Although not yet a trend, it can be described as an impressive early step with more to come. A joint-venture between U.S. multinational Dow Chemical and Japan’s Mitsui, announced in Brazil on July 19th, will result in the construction of a new sugarcane processing unit dedicated to manufacturing bioplastics and biopolymers. Amounts invested were not disclosed, but each company will have a 50% stake in the new mill, to be located in Santa Victoria, in Minas Gerais state. The cane-based polymers will be utilized in the production of flexible packaging, medical products and toiletries. “What we are seeing is an important product diversification, the use of sugarcane and ethanol in a dedicated unit that will manufacture green polyethylene from renewable fuel instead of naphtha, which is produced from fossil fuels. As the volumes will certainly not be small, the project opens the possibility that other groups will start to focus not only on sugar and ethanol, but also products with higher value-added, as in this case," said Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, technical director of the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). Niche market The project is within objectives set by Dow, to develop low-carbon solutions in tune with the global challenges of energy and climate change. "This historic operation reinforces Dow's commitment to invest in the development of sectors that involve high innovation and value through strategic partnerships," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow chairman and CEO. "The agreement also brings together the strengths of two global companies, creating a unique combination of global technology leadership and access to renewable raw materials to meet the needs of an important and fast-growing region," he added. "Bioplastics are still uncharted territory, and we believe that this niche can expand faster than our expectations," said a Mitsui executive who asked not to be named. Persistency UNICA’s Rodrigues points out that Dow’s insistence was key element in the success of the new venture. "Since 2006 there were already plans to build a dedicated mill with a different partner. Now, the effort got off the ground with Mitsui, a solid company that is capable of providing longevity and consistency to the project,” said the executive. The first phase of the project includes the construction of the new mill, which will process sugarcane into ethanol. Work is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2011.

Secure Stock Exchange | Ethanol |

Etanol Anidro	R$ 1,3058	0,78
Etanol Hidratado	R$ 1,1375	0,03
Etanol Hidratado Outros Fins	R$ 1,1867	2,42

Atualização às sextas-feiras, às 18h.
Clique nos itens acima para obter detalhes sobre as cotações

Secure Stock Exchange | Ethanol |

Etanol Anidro	R$ 1,3058	0,78
Etanol Hidratado	R$ 1,1375	0,03
Etanol Hidratado Outros Fins	R$ 1,1867	2,42

Atualização às sextas-feiras, às 18h.
Clique nos itens acima para obter detalhes sobre as cotações

Ethanol Jatos movidos a cana-de-açúcar: UNICA vê avanço essencial para redução de emissões

                                                                                       E-Jet 170 da Embraer (foto Embraer)

          Aviões cruzando os céus utilizando biocombustíveis produzidos a partir de cana-de-açúcar, ecologicamente corretos e com emissões reduzidas de gases que causam o efeito estufa, podem ser uma realidade não tão distante. Essa é a aposta das fabricantes de aeronaves Boeing e Embraer, que vão financiar uma série de pesquisas sobre o tema com apoio do Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento (BID) e da Amyris, empresa especializada em biotecnologia. Embora em estágio ainda inicial, a iniciativa sinaliza uma tendência de importância fundamental na visão da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (UNICA).

“É um esforço importante e correto para pesquisa e desenvolvimento. O querosene de aviação derivado de petróleo é poluente e contribui para a emissão de gases de efeito estufa que intensificam o aquecimento global. A utilização de um combustível renovável a partir da cana-de-açúcar neste contexto é de grande importância, pois ajudaria a diminuir a emissão desses gases,” afirma Alfred Szwarc, consultor de Emissões e Tecnologia da UNICA.

A parceria entre Boeing, Embraer e BID foi anunciada no final de junho, com as pesquisas para a utilização do biocombustível sob responsabilidade da Amyris do Brasil, coordenadas pelo Instituto de Estudos do Comércio e Negociações Internacionais (Icone) e supervisionadas pela organização não-governamental World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Os resultados do trabalho devem ser divulgados no início de 2012.

De acordo com André Nassar, do Icone, o objetivo do estudo é fornecer dados sobre o ciclo de vida das emissões associadas aos combustíveis de fontes renováveis utilizados em aviões. “Vamos examinar também as mudanças no uso indireto da terra e seus efeitos. Serão feitas análises dos combustíveis derivados da cana para jatos em relação aos padrões de sustentabilidade existentes, incluindo o Bonsucro, o Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels e o Biofuel Scorecard do BID,” destaca.

Fontes Renováveis

O forte envolvimento brasileiro com fontes renováveis de energia foi destacado pelo diretor de Estratégia e Tecnologia para o Meio-Ambiente da Embraer, Guilherme Freire. "O Brasil é uma rica fonte de biomassa e o desenvolvimento dessas tecnologias, baseadas na cana-de-açúcar, reforçam a importância do crescimento sustentável da aviação para o País,” disse.

Já Billy Glover, vice-presidente de Meio Ambiente e Política de Aviação da Boeing, enfatizou a parceria entre as empresas brasileiras e americanas. "A pesquisa em parceria para o uso da cana em jatos é importante para diversificar as fontes de combustível de aviação e fortalecer a cooperação estabelecida entre os Estados Unidos e o Brasil na área das energias renováveis," destacou.

Para o CEO da Amyris, John Melo, o planeta não será beneficiado por um combustível que apenas substitua os atuais. "Este estudo nos ajudará a substituir os combustíveis fósseis com um combustível de fonte renovável para jatos, que exceda os atuais critérios técnicos e de sustentabilidade," explica.

Ethanol Jatos movidos a cana-de-açúcar: UNICA vê avanço essencial para redução de emissões

                                                                                       E-Jet 170 da Embraer (foto Embraer)

          Aviões cruzando os céus utilizando biocombustíveis produzidos a partir de cana-de-açúcar, ecologicamente corretos e com emissões reduzidas de gases que causam o efeito estufa, podem ser uma realidade não tão distante. Essa é a aposta das fabricantes de aeronaves Boeing e Embraer, que vão financiar uma série de pesquisas sobre o tema com apoio do Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento (BID) e da Amyris, empresa especializada em biotecnologia. Embora em estágio ainda inicial, a iniciativa sinaliza uma tendência de importância fundamental na visão da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (UNICA).

“É um esforço importante e correto para pesquisa e desenvolvimento. O querosene de aviação derivado de petróleo é poluente e contribui para a emissão de gases de efeito estufa que intensificam o aquecimento global. A utilização de um combustível renovável a partir da cana-de-açúcar neste contexto é de grande importância, pois ajudaria a diminuir a emissão desses gases,” afirma Alfred Szwarc, consultor de Emissões e Tecnologia da UNICA.

A parceria entre Boeing, Embraer e BID foi anunciada no final de junho, com as pesquisas para a utilização do biocombustível sob responsabilidade da Amyris do Brasil, coordenadas pelo Instituto de Estudos do Comércio e Negociações Internacionais (Icone) e supervisionadas pela organização não-governamental World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Os resultados do trabalho devem ser divulgados no início de 2012.

De acordo com André Nassar, do Icone, o objetivo do estudo é fornecer dados sobre o ciclo de vida das emissões associadas aos combustíveis de fontes renováveis utilizados em aviões. “Vamos examinar também as mudanças no uso indireto da terra e seus efeitos. Serão feitas análises dos combustíveis derivados da cana para jatos em relação aos padrões de sustentabilidade existentes, incluindo o Bonsucro, o Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels e o Biofuel Scorecard do BID,” destaca.

Fontes Renováveis

O forte envolvimento brasileiro com fontes renováveis de energia foi destacado pelo diretor de Estratégia e Tecnologia para o Meio-Ambiente da Embraer, Guilherme Freire. "O Brasil é uma rica fonte de biomassa e o desenvolvimento dessas tecnologias, baseadas na cana-de-açúcar, reforçam a importância do crescimento sustentável da aviação para o País,” disse.

Já Billy Glover, vice-presidente de Meio Ambiente e Política de Aviação da Boeing, enfatizou a parceria entre as empresas brasileiras e americanas. "A pesquisa em parceria para o uso da cana em jatos é importante para diversificar as fontes de combustível de aviação e fortalecer a cooperação estabelecida entre os Estados Unidos e o Brasil na área das energias renováveis," destacou.

Para o CEO da Amyris, John Melo, o planeta não será beneficiado por um combustível que apenas substitua os atuais. "Este estudo nos ajudará a substituir os combustíveis fósseis com um combustível de fonte renovável para jatos, que exceda os atuais critérios técnicos e de sustentabilidade," explica.

UNICA: Brazil's Anhydrous Ethanol Output Up 27% Early July

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, commonly known as UNICA, said in a new report that production of anhydrous ethanol rose about 27% during the first half of July.

The report issued this week said that 615 million liters of anhydrous ethanol was produced in the first 15 days of the month, compared to the 486 million liters produced for the same period during the 2010-2011 harvest.

UNICA said the increase in the production of anhydrous ethanol suggests the industry is serious about meeting domestic demand.

On demand, the report said 6.19 billion liters of ethanol was sold in the South-Central region of the country between April and July 16, which is down about 16% from same period last year.

Most of the sales were anhydrous ethanol, with hydrous ethanol sales lagging. Anhydrous fuel ethanol is also called pure ethanol, because it contains 1% or less of water.

UNICA: Brazil's Anhydrous Ethanol Output Up 27% Early July

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, commonly known as UNICA, said in a new report that production of anhydrous ethanol rose about 27% during the first half of July.

The report issued this week said that 615 million liters of anhydrous ethanol was produced in the first 15 days of the month, compared to the 486 million liters produced for the same period during the 2010-2011 harvest.

UNICA said the increase in the production of anhydrous ethanol suggests the industry is serious about meeting domestic demand.

On demand, the report said 6.19 billion liters of ethanol was sold in the South-Central region of the country between April and July 16, which is down about 16% from same period last year.

Most of the sales were anhydrous ethanol, with hydrous ethanol sales lagging. Anhydrous fuel ethanol is also called pure ethanol, because it contains 1% or less of water.

Brazil's Government Prepares Ethanol Stimulus

Concerned about the inflationary impact of ethanol shortages, Brazil's government is preparing a package of measures to stimulate sugarcane farming and ethanol fuel stocking, local business daily Valor Economico reported Friday.

According to government sources, the Finance Ministry will in August issue a decree offering tax breaks on sugarcane production and subsidized credit to stock ethanol until the post-harvest January to April period, when shortages are most acute.

Brazilian ethanol prices surged in the first quarter of 2011 as producers failed to keep up with soaring demand in this booming economy. Shortages promise to be even more acute next year as sugarcane output is seen falling 4 to 6%.

This potentially hinders the government's fight to control peaking inflation, as ethanol is widely used as an automotive fuel and as a 25% additive in gasoline fuel.

The government has identified lagging sugarcane production as one of the main problems. UNICA, the main sugarcane industry association, forecasts 2011-12 center-south output will come in 48 million metric tons, or 9%, short of demand. That's mainly because rival crops have been offering better returns than sugarcane, which in part is because of government caps on fuel prices.

The government's planned tax breaks, on which sources offered no details, represent an attempt to revert that situation.

No stimulus will be given to increase ethanol-distilling capacity, however, as the country has 150 million metric tons in excess crushing capacity, according to Brasilia.

The creation of ethanol stocks was a key issue for many years before the introduction of the flex-fuel cars, which can run on any mixture of ethanol and gasoline fuel from 2003 onwards.

While a shortage of ethanol no longer means a fuel crisis, it does push fuel prices higher hence the government initiative create stocks.

Brazil is expected to export 1.8 billion liters of ethanol in 2011-12 -- a fact frowned upon in Brasilia.

According to Mines and Energy Minister Edison Lobo, the government decided to hold off on reducing the percentage of ethanol added to gasoline to 18 to 20%, from 25%, following assurances from millers and distillers that they will supply the market, at reasonable prices. The industry has committed to import up to 1 billion liters of ethanol to meet that promise. That means more ethanol imports from the U.S. this season.

Brazil's Government Prepares Ethanol Stimulus

Concerned about the inflationary impact of ethanol shortages, Brazil's government is preparing a package of measures to stimulate sugarcane farming and ethanol fuel stocking, local business daily Valor Economico reported Friday.

According to government sources, the Finance Ministry will in August issue a decree offering tax breaks on sugarcane production and subsidized credit to stock ethanol until the post-harvest January to April period, when shortages are most acute.

Brazilian ethanol prices surged in the first quarter of 2011 as producers failed to keep up with soaring demand in this booming economy. Shortages promise to be even more acute next year as sugarcane output is seen falling 4 to 6%.

This potentially hinders the government's fight to control peaking inflation, as ethanol is widely used as an automotive fuel and as a 25% additive in gasoline fuel.

The government has identified lagging sugarcane production as one of the main problems. UNICA, the main sugarcane industry association, forecasts 2011-12 center-south output will come in 48 million metric tons, or 9%, short of demand. That's mainly because rival crops have been offering better returns than sugarcane, which in part is because of government caps on fuel prices.

The government's planned tax breaks, on which sources offered no details, represent an attempt to revert that situation.

No stimulus will be given to increase ethanol-distilling capacity, however, as the country has 150 million metric tons in excess crushing capacity, according to Brasilia.

The creation of ethanol stocks was a key issue for many years before the introduction of the flex-fuel cars, which can run on any mixture of ethanol and gasoline fuel from 2003 onwards.

While a shortage of ethanol no longer means a fuel crisis, it does push fuel prices higher hence the government initiative create stocks.

Brazil is expected to export 1.8 billion liters of ethanol in 2011-12 -- a fact frowned upon in Brasilia.

According to Mines and Energy Minister Edison Lobo, the government decided to hold off on reducing the percentage of ethanol added to gasoline to 18 to 20%, from 25%, following assurances from millers and distillers that they will supply the market, at reasonable prices. The industry has committed to import up to 1 billion liters of ethanol to meet that promise. That means more ethanol imports from the U.S. this season.