Showing posts with label sugar cane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sugar cane. Show all posts

Friday, August 12, 2011

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.”





Tuesday, August 9, 2011

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.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Potencial do setor deve acelerar processo de fusão de empresas


O setor bioenergético brasileiro passa por importante transformação. A produção de etanol a partir da cana-de-açúcar -energia limpa, renovável e competitiva- está na agenda global de sustentabilidade e traz um cenário novo, promissor e positivo.

Prova disso é a chegada de novos "players", como grandes operadores agrícolas e empresas petrolíferas.

Desde 2008, vê-se operações emblemáticas de redesenho do setor, como as associações entre a Cosan e a NovaAmerica, a francesa Louis Dreyfus e a Santelisa Vale, seguida por Bunge e Moema, Shell e Cosan e pela combinação de ativos da ETH Bioenergia com a Brenco. Sem falar na recente negociação entre Petrobras e Açúcar Guarani.

Esse movimento deve se intensificar, com a consolidação de empresas com escala, tecnologia e grande capacidade de investimentos e confirma a atratividade do negócio e o forte potencial de crescimento do mercado internacional para esse combustível.

A civilização do petróleo cede espaço para fontes de energia limpas e renováveis, graças ao reconhecimento de que estas últimas reduzem as emissões de CO2 e provocam efeitos positivos no clima.

Além disso, a produção brasileira de etanol traz ganhos expressivos de competitividade, com melhor eficiência nas áreas agrícola e industrial.

O mundo reconhece que a tecnologia brasileira para a produção de energia de biomassa é uma das soluções para um mercado competitivo e sustentável.

O recente reconhecimento da Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos EUA, de que o etanol de cana-de-açúcar é um combustível avançado, e a aprovação, pelo Conselho de Qualidade do Ar do Estado da Califórnia (Carb), da regulamentação do Padrão de Combustível de Baixa Emissão de Carbono (LCFS) devem beneficiar a entrada do etanol brasileiro nos EUA.

A LCFS torna obrigatória, na Califórnia, a redução em 10% das emissões de dióxido de carbono e outros gases de efeito estufa, até 2020.

O Japão também vê no etanol de cana-de-açúcar uma solução para reduzir a emissão de CO2 e sua dependência em relação a combustíveis fósseis. O governo japonês trabalha em um projeto para aumentar para até 10% a mistura de etanol na gasolina até 2020, o que criaria um mercado potencial de até 6 bilhões de litros para o etanol produzido no Brasil.

Essa transformação no cenário internacional pode abrir uma nova fase de crescimento para os investimentos no setor, estimados em R$ 100 bilhões nos próximos cinco anos, além de gerar empregos qualificados.

Chegou o momento de vencer as restrições comerciais internacionais e levar a discussão da produção de etanol para a agenda energética mundial.

Artigo publicado no jornal Folha de S. Paulo, edição de 28 de maio de 2010.


José Carlos Grubisich é presidente da ETH Bioenergia.

Potencial do setor deve acelerar processo de fusão de empresas


O setor bioenergético brasileiro passa por importante transformação. A produção de etanol a partir da cana-de-açúcar -energia limpa, renovável e competitiva- está na agenda global de sustentabilidade e traz um cenário novo, promissor e positivo.

Prova disso é a chegada de novos "players", como grandes operadores agrícolas e empresas petrolíferas.

Desde 2008, vê-se operações emblemáticas de redesenho do setor, como as associações entre a Cosan e a NovaAmerica, a francesa Louis Dreyfus e a Santelisa Vale, seguida por Bunge e Moema, Shell e Cosan e pela combinação de ativos da ETH Bioenergia com a Brenco. Sem falar na recente negociação entre Petrobras e Açúcar Guarani.

Esse movimento deve se intensificar, com a consolidação de empresas com escala, tecnologia e grande capacidade de investimentos e confirma a atratividade do negócio e o forte potencial de crescimento do mercado internacional para esse combustível.

A civilização do petróleo cede espaço para fontes de energia limpas e renováveis, graças ao reconhecimento de que estas últimas reduzem as emissões de CO2 e provocam efeitos positivos no clima.

Além disso, a produção brasileira de etanol traz ganhos expressivos de competitividade, com melhor eficiência nas áreas agrícola e industrial.

O mundo reconhece que a tecnologia brasileira para a produção de energia de biomassa é uma das soluções para um mercado competitivo e sustentável.

O recente reconhecimento da Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos EUA, de que o etanol de cana-de-açúcar é um combustível avançado, e a aprovação, pelo Conselho de Qualidade do Ar do Estado da Califórnia (Carb), da regulamentação do Padrão de Combustível de Baixa Emissão de Carbono (LCFS) devem beneficiar a entrada do etanol brasileiro nos EUA.

A LCFS torna obrigatória, na Califórnia, a redução em 10% das emissões de dióxido de carbono e outros gases de efeito estufa, até 2020.

O Japão também vê no etanol de cana-de-açúcar uma solução para reduzir a emissão de CO2 e sua dependência em relação a combustíveis fósseis. O governo japonês trabalha em um projeto para aumentar para até 10% a mistura de etanol na gasolina até 2020, o que criaria um mercado potencial de até 6 bilhões de litros para o etanol produzido no Brasil.

Essa transformação no cenário internacional pode abrir uma nova fase de crescimento para os investimentos no setor, estimados em R$ 100 bilhões nos próximos cinco anos, além de gerar empregos qualificados.

Chegou o momento de vencer as restrições comerciais internacionais e levar a discussão da produção de etanol para a agenda energética mundial.

Artigo publicado no jornal Folha de S. Paulo, edição de 28 de maio de 2010.


José Carlos Grubisich é presidente da ETH Bioenergia.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

New Technology Blends Ethanol for Cleaner Diesel by Kristin Brekke


Diesel engines may soon have a new partner in the effort to satisfy Tier 4 emissions standards – ethanol.

A Nebraska company has developed a system for bringing a mixture of ethanol and water to a diesel engine just before the point of combustion, increasing the diesel engine’s efficiency and reducing emissions. The business partners behind CleanFlex Power Systems, LLC call the mixture “EM60,” which is 60 percent ethanol and 40 percent water. The overall fuel mix in the diesel engine is 85 percent #2 diesel and 15 percent 120-proof ethanol.

Bob Dickey, a farmer from Laurel, Nebraska, and three business partners are behind CleanFlex. Dickey is past president and current chairman of the National Corn Growers Association, and he and his team were in Sioux Falls, South Dakota last month for a demonstration of the new technology operating in a retrofitted 2005 Ford F250 Powerstroke.

The system requires the use of two separate tanks to deliver the fuel, one for the ethanol-water mixture and one for the diesel. The two come together at the point of combustion and produce a number of benefits, according to Ron Preston, CleanFlex president:

* Reduces NOx by 30 percent or more
* Reduces particulate matter
* Increases horsepower by 25 percent or more
* Increases energy efficiency by 10 to 30 percent

Preston says the EM60 has the ability to help diesel engines meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 emissions standards that go into effect in 2011. Other benefits of the fuel mixture include added lubricity to the engine, longer storage life for the fuel and the ability to use it in all weather conditions – even down to 100 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

The hydrated ethanol was first tested last year on Dickey’s farm in a diesel engine running an irrigation system, a John Deere 70-horsepower four-cylinder turbo diesel. He reported increased efficiency and decreased emissions, plus a cost savings of $1 to $1.20 per hour over regular diesel.

The fuel and the retrofit are available today through CleanFlex with an estimated price of $5,000 to $7,500, depending on the vehicle and the engine. They are in talks with ag equipment companies as well as railroad companies on potential use of the fuel and delivery system.

At the Sioux Falls demonstration, Preston estimated that there are 29 million trucks that might not be allowed to operate in California or other places with strict emissions standards under the upcoming Tier IV diesel regulations. The addition of hydrated ethanol to the diesel fuel in this type of retrofit could change that.

Research is being conducted at the University of Nebraska under a two-year grant at the Industrial Agricultural Products Center. CleanFlex can be reached at (402) 480-0346 for questions or product inquiries.

New Technology Blends Ethanol for Cleaner Diesel by Kristin Brekke


Diesel engines may soon have a new partner in the effort to satisfy Tier 4 emissions standards – ethanol.

A Nebraska company has developed a system for bringing a mixture of ethanol and water to a diesel engine just before the point of combustion, increasing the diesel engine’s efficiency and reducing emissions. The business partners behind CleanFlex Power Systems, LLC call the mixture “EM60,” which is 60 percent ethanol and 40 percent water. The overall fuel mix in the diesel engine is 85 percent #2 diesel and 15 percent 120-proof ethanol.

Bob Dickey, a farmer from Laurel, Nebraska, and three business partners are behind CleanFlex. Dickey is past president and current chairman of the National Corn Growers Association, and he and his team were in Sioux Falls, South Dakota last month for a demonstration of the new technology operating in a retrofitted 2005 Ford F250 Powerstroke.

The system requires the use of two separate tanks to deliver the fuel, one for the ethanol-water mixture and one for the diesel. The two come together at the point of combustion and produce a number of benefits, according to Ron Preston, CleanFlex president:

* Reduces NOx by 30 percent or more
* Reduces particulate matter
* Increases horsepower by 25 percent or more
* Increases energy efficiency by 10 to 30 percent

Preston says the EM60 has the ability to help diesel engines meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 emissions standards that go into effect in 2011. Other benefits of the fuel mixture include added lubricity to the engine, longer storage life for the fuel and the ability to use it in all weather conditions – even down to 100 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

The hydrated ethanol was first tested last year on Dickey’s farm in a diesel engine running an irrigation system, a John Deere 70-horsepower four-cylinder turbo diesel. He reported increased efficiency and decreased emissions, plus a cost savings of $1 to $1.20 per hour over regular diesel.

The fuel and the retrofit are available today through CleanFlex with an estimated price of $5,000 to $7,500, depending on the vehicle and the engine. They are in talks with ag equipment companies as well as railroad companies on potential use of the fuel and delivery system.

At the Sioux Falls demonstration, Preston estimated that there are 29 million trucks that might not be allowed to operate in California or other places with strict emissions standards under the upcoming Tier IV diesel regulations. The addition of hydrated ethanol to the diesel fuel in this type of retrofit could change that.

Research is being conducted at the University of Nebraska under a two-year grant at the Industrial Agricultural Products Center. CleanFlex can be reached at (402) 480-0346 for questions or product inquiries.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Brazil Sugar Output Will Rise 19 Percent to Record, Unica Says








Sugar output in Brazil’s Center South, the world’s largest producing region, will rise 19 percent to a record in the coming season as drier weather boosts yields and new mills come online.

Mills in the region, which makes 90 percent of Brazil’s sugar, will produce 34.1 million metric tons of the sweetener in the crop year starting tomorrow, up from 28.6 million a year earlier, Unica said in a report distributed today in Sao Paulo. Sugar-cane output will increase 10 percent to 595.9 million tons, Unica said.

Drier weather after two years of excess rain will help boost sugar yields because humidity reduces the concentration of sucrose, the substance extracted from cane to produce sweetener and ethanol, and 10 mills will come online, Unica said. Sugar more than doubled last year after El Nino caused excess showers in Brazil and triggered a drought that harmed crops in India, the second-largest producer.

Average yields will increase to 138.6 kilograms (306 pounds) of sugar equivalent per ton of cane, from 130.4 kilograms in the past season, Unica said.

Ethanol output in the Center South will climb 16 percent to 27.4 billion liters (7.2 billion gallons), Unica said.

The proportion of the crop that will be processed into sugar will rise to 43.3 percent from 42.6 percent in the previous season. The remainder is processed into ethanol.

Brazil Sugar Output Will Rise 19 Percent to Record, Unica Says








Sugar output in Brazil’s Center South, the world’s largest producing region, will rise 19 percent to a record in the coming season as drier weather boosts yields and new mills come online.

Mills in the region, which makes 90 percent of Brazil’s sugar, will produce 34.1 million metric tons of the sweetener in the crop year starting tomorrow, up from 28.6 million a year earlier, Unica said in a report distributed today in Sao Paulo. Sugar-cane output will increase 10 percent to 595.9 million tons, Unica said.

Drier weather after two years of excess rain will help boost sugar yields because humidity reduces the concentration of sucrose, the substance extracted from cane to produce sweetener and ethanol, and 10 mills will come online, Unica said. Sugar more than doubled last year after El Nino caused excess showers in Brazil and triggered a drought that harmed crops in India, the second-largest producer.

Average yields will increase to 138.6 kilograms (306 pounds) of sugar equivalent per ton of cane, from 130.4 kilograms in the past season, Unica said.

Ethanol output in the Center South will climb 16 percent to 27.4 billion liters (7.2 billion gallons), Unica said.

The proportion of the crop that will be processed into sugar will rise to 43.3 percent from 42.6 percent in the previous season. The remainder is processed into ethanol.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Brazil´s UNICA to supply fuel for 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series






Brazilian sugarcane industry association UNICA announced this afternoon it has renewed its fuel supply agreement for the second year with the Indy Racing League (IRL) for the majority of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

UNICA became the official fuel supplier for IRL in 2009, the same time that Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian government´s export development agency, became a major sponsor of the IndyCar Series, UNICA explained.

"We´re pleased to continue our partnership with Indy, a global showcase for clean, renewable biofuels since 2007," said Marcos Jank, UNICA´s President and CEO. "With sugarcane ethanol, the series is guaranteed the additional plus of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 61% compared to gasoline, as recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to being green, ethanol´s higher octane rating also enhances racing performance," he added.

Specifically, the agreement calls for UNICA to cover the cost of approximately 200,000 liters (53,000 gallons) of the 100% ethanol to be used in 2010 by the IZOD IndyCar Series, as well as renewable diesel for the fleet of trucks that delivers cars, related gear and fuel for all races. The deal also calls for UNICA´s Sugarcane Ethanol brand to be featured at all Indy events.

However, sugarcane ethanol will only fuel 16 of the 17 IZOD IndyCar series races this season, including the Indianapolis 500. The remaining race, the Iowa Corn Indy 250, will be sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, confirmed UNICA Chief Representative Joel Velasco.

Meanwhile, it appears as though IRL has yet to decide which suppliers or producers it will purchase the ethanol from, Velasco explained, noting that IRL actually purchases the fuel since they handle the logistics.

Additionally, at the inaugural Sao Paulo Indy 300, to be run on a street circuit in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 14, the ethanol will be supplied by one of UNICA´s member companies, Copersucar S.A., Brazil´s largest sugar, ethanol and bioenergy conglomerate, with 36 associated sugar and ethanol mills.

Brazil´s UNICA to supply fuel for 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series






Brazilian sugarcane industry association UNICA announced this afternoon it has renewed its fuel supply agreement for the second year with the Indy Racing League (IRL) for the majority of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

UNICA became the official fuel supplier for IRL in 2009, the same time that Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian government´s export development agency, became a major sponsor of the IndyCar Series, UNICA explained.

"We´re pleased to continue our partnership with Indy, a global showcase for clean, renewable biofuels since 2007," said Marcos Jank, UNICA´s President and CEO. "With sugarcane ethanol, the series is guaranteed the additional plus of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 61% compared to gasoline, as recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to being green, ethanol´s higher octane rating also enhances racing performance," he added.

Specifically, the agreement calls for UNICA to cover the cost of approximately 200,000 liters (53,000 gallons) of the 100% ethanol to be used in 2010 by the IZOD IndyCar Series, as well as renewable diesel for the fleet of trucks that delivers cars, related gear and fuel for all races. The deal also calls for UNICA´s Sugarcane Ethanol brand to be featured at all Indy events.

However, sugarcane ethanol will only fuel 16 of the 17 IZOD IndyCar series races this season, including the Indianapolis 500. The remaining race, the Iowa Corn Indy 250, will be sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, confirmed UNICA Chief Representative Joel Velasco.

Meanwhile, it appears as though IRL has yet to decide which suppliers or producers it will purchase the ethanol from, Velasco explained, noting that IRL actually purchases the fuel since they handle the logistics.

Additionally, at the inaugural Sao Paulo Indy 300, to be run on a street circuit in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 14, the ethanol will be supplied by one of UNICA´s member companies, Copersucar S.A., Brazil´s largest sugar, ethanol and bioenergy conglomerate, with 36 associated sugar and ethanol mills.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Cane ethanol helps cut greenhouse emissions: study







SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Use of sugar cane-based ethanol as a substitute for gasoline is among the cheapest and easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Brazilian study published on Wednesday.


Cane ethanol provides about eight times the energy used to produce it and adoption of new cane plant varieties and processes could increase its efficiency further. The study looked only at the future production of cane over pastures or as a replacement for other crops -- not over native forests.

Most new cars in Brazil can run on ethanol alone and the biofuel´s environmental benefits are redoubled by burning its bagasse byproduct in thermoelectric plants powering mills and sometimes even feeding into the grid.

"As ethanol is already competitive with gasoline at current oil prices, the additional cost (in adopting ethanol) is zero," said Isaias Macedo, from the Interdisciplinary Center of Energy Planning at the University of Campinas, one of the study´s authors. "And the possibility of producing ethanol in several countries makes it especially attractive," Macedo added.

Brazil is the world´s largest producer of cane-based ethanol. The United States is the No. 1 ethanol maker but its fuel is made from corn whose energy output is roughly equal to that used to produce it.

Ethanol´s gradual replacement of gasoline since the introduction of flex-fuel cars in early 2003 and the blending of 20 to 25 percent of ethanol in all gasoline sold in Brazil, combined with the co-generation of energy through the burning of bagasse at mills, has slashed greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2006 alone, the drop in emissions by the transport and energy sectors was 22 percent of what they would be if the country´s cars were burning gasoline, according to the study.
Still, Brazil remains one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases due to destruction of its massive Amazon rain forest. Trees release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they´re felled or burned.

Considering Brazil´s total emissions unrelated to deforestation, ethanol helped reduce overall emissions by 10 percent that same year, according to the study which also involved researchers at the University of Sao Paulo.

Considering fuel production and emission-cutting targets set by Brazil in its 2008´s climate change plan, ethanol could reduce emission levels in the transport and energy sector by 43 percent in 2020 and 18 percent for all emissions excluding deforestation.

Brazil is seeking to play a leading role in talks in Copenhagen in December aimed at agreeing a new climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

The ethanol industry does not want Brazil´s poor ranking for total emissions to tarnish its environmental credentials. It has been fighting to show the world how cane is the most energy-efficient raw material for ethanol.

About 90 percent of Brazil´s sugar cane is produced in the center-south region, which includes Pantanal wetlands. But the main producing areas are about 2,000 km (1,250 miles) from the Amazon forest. The rest in the north/northeast of the country.

Macedo said that, based on an estimated cost of $100 per tonne of CO2 avoided in 2020 or 2030, it would be possible to attribute to ethanol an additional value of 20 U.S. cents per liter. "When you decide to use ethanol, this is how much you´ll avoid paying for another option," the researcher said.

Cane ethanol helps cut greenhouse emissions: study







SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Use of sugar cane-based ethanol as a substitute for gasoline is among the cheapest and easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Brazilian study published on Wednesday.


Cane ethanol provides about eight times the energy used to produce it and adoption of new cane plant varieties and processes could increase its efficiency further. The study looked only at the future production of cane over pastures or as a replacement for other crops -- not over native forests.

Most new cars in Brazil can run on ethanol alone and the biofuel´s environmental benefits are redoubled by burning its bagasse byproduct in thermoelectric plants powering mills and sometimes even feeding into the grid.

"As ethanol is already competitive with gasoline at current oil prices, the additional cost (in adopting ethanol) is zero," said Isaias Macedo, from the Interdisciplinary Center of Energy Planning at the University of Campinas, one of the study´s authors. "And the possibility of producing ethanol in several countries makes it especially attractive," Macedo added.

Brazil is the world´s largest producer of cane-based ethanol. The United States is the No. 1 ethanol maker but its fuel is made from corn whose energy output is roughly equal to that used to produce it.

Ethanol´s gradual replacement of gasoline since the introduction of flex-fuel cars in early 2003 and the blending of 20 to 25 percent of ethanol in all gasoline sold in Brazil, combined with the co-generation of energy through the burning of bagasse at mills, has slashed greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2006 alone, the drop in emissions by the transport and energy sectors was 22 percent of what they would be if the country´s cars were burning gasoline, according to the study.
Still, Brazil remains one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases due to destruction of its massive Amazon rain forest. Trees release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they´re felled or burned.

Considering Brazil´s total emissions unrelated to deforestation, ethanol helped reduce overall emissions by 10 percent that same year, according to the study which also involved researchers at the University of Sao Paulo.

Considering fuel production and emission-cutting targets set by Brazil in its 2008´s climate change plan, ethanol could reduce emission levels in the transport and energy sector by 43 percent in 2020 and 18 percent for all emissions excluding deforestation.

Brazil is seeking to play a leading role in talks in Copenhagen in December aimed at agreeing a new climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

The ethanol industry does not want Brazil´s poor ranking for total emissions to tarnish its environmental credentials. It has been fighting to show the world how cane is the most energy-efficient raw material for ethanol.

About 90 percent of Brazil´s sugar cane is produced in the center-south region, which includes Pantanal wetlands. But the main producing areas are about 2,000 km (1,250 miles) from the Amazon forest. The rest in the north/northeast of the country.

Macedo said that, based on an estimated cost of $100 per tonne of CO2 avoided in 2020 or 2030, it would be possible to attribute to ethanol an additional value of 20 U.S. cents per liter. "When you decide to use ethanol, this is how much you´ll avoid paying for another option," the researcher said.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

France: Sugarcane biofuels best to meet EU emissions target






First-generation biofuels currently used in France meet the European Union’s target of 35% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2010, a study published last Thursday by the French energy and environment agency ADEME shows. According to the agency, all biofuel samples analyzed met the EU’s target, with the majority of grades giving greenhouse gas savings between 60% and 80%, excluding land use changes.

The study concluded that ethanol made from sugar cane proved to be the most environmentally friendly with GHG reduction of over 80%. ETBE, a mix of ethanol and isobutylene, showed the least favorable results, with ETBE made from wheat-based ethanol saving about 35% GHG emissions, just slightly above the EU target. ETBE made from sugar cane ethanol proved to be the most efficient type at about 50% reduction.

France: Sugarcane biofuels best to meet EU emissions target






First-generation biofuels currently used in France meet the European Union’s target of 35% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2010, a study published last Thursday by the French energy and environment agency ADEME shows. According to the agency, all biofuel samples analyzed met the EU’s target, with the majority of grades giving greenhouse gas savings between 60% and 80%, excluding land use changes.

The study concluded that ethanol made from sugar cane proved to be the most environmentally friendly with GHG reduction of over 80%. ETBE, a mix of ethanol and isobutylene, showed the least favorable results, with ETBE made from wheat-based ethanol saving about 35% GHG emissions, just slightly above the EU target. ETBE made from sugar cane ethanol proved to be the most efficient type at about 50% reduction.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

UNICA: opção da Johnson&Johnson por Resina Verde da Braskem deve servir de exemplo 06/10/2009



A decisão da multinacional Johnson&Johnson de fechar uma parceria com a Braskem para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde, um polietileno obtido através da cana-de-açúcar, representa o inicio de uma importante fase na indústria, avalia o consultor de Emissões e Tecnologia da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (ÚNICA), Alfred Szwarc.

“Este acordo, de grandes proporções, é sem dúvida o início de uma mudança de paradigmas na indústria. Está mais do que na hora do início de um processo de substituição de produtos fósseis – leia-se aqui o petróleo – para uma matéria-prima limpa, cuja tecnologia somos detentores”, raciocina Alfred Szwarc.

Nesta segunda-feira (05/10), em comunicado à Imprensa, a Brasken informou que a Johnson&Johsnon é a primeira indústria de higiene e beleza a fechar um acordo para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde Sundown®

A Resina é elaborada com matérias-primas 100% renováveis e o material tem o mesmo aspecto e propriedades dos plásticos tradicionais no produto final, com a diferença de que é capaz de capturar CO2 da atmosfera, ou seja, uma tonelada de resina verde capta 2,5 t de CO2, informa a Brasken.

“A empresa possui diversas outras atividades ligadas à responsabilidade ambiental como tratamento de efluentes, controle de resíduos sólidos, etc. No que diz respeito a embalagens, possuímos diversos projetos de utilização de material reciclado pré e pós-consumo, mas realmente a utilização da Resina Verde é uma ação inédita da companhia em todo o mundo", diz Marcelo Scatolini, gerente de grupo de Suncare da Johnson & Johnson.
Cronograma

As primeiras embalagens com o novo material chegam para o verão 2011/2012. Inicialmente, a Linha Regular de Protetores e Bloqueadores e a linha de bronzeadores Sundown® Gold serão as primeiras a serem produzidas com a embalagem de matéria-prima renovável, mas todo o portfólio deve passar a ser feito com a Resina Verde.

"A Johnson & Johnson terá exclusividade no mercado de proteção solar no Brasil e segue avaliando o uso do polietileno verde em outras linhas de produto e em outras regiões do mundo. A Resina Verde veio ampliar a relação de Sundown® com o Sol. Além do produto, agora a embalagem também terá essa relação, já que este material só existe porque o sol dá a energia necessária para o desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar", afirma Rui Chammas, diretor do negócio polietileno da Braskem.

O Eteno Verde é produzido a partir da desidratação do etanol da cana-de-açúcar (o mesmo que hoje é utilizado como combustível nos carros flex) e depois polimerizado em polietileno verde, em unidades industriais que serão dedicadas exclusivamente ao produto. Este plástico pode ser utilizado em todas as aplicações onde hoje se utiliza a versão petroquímica, sem qualquer adaptação em máquinas ou processos produtivos.

UNICA: opção da Johnson&Johnson por Resina Verde da Braskem deve servir de exemplo 06/10/2009



A decisão da multinacional Johnson&Johnson de fechar uma parceria com a Braskem para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde, um polietileno obtido através da cana-de-açúcar, representa o inicio de uma importante fase na indústria, avalia o consultor de Emissões e Tecnologia da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (ÚNICA), Alfred Szwarc.

“Este acordo, de grandes proporções, é sem dúvida o início de uma mudança de paradigmas na indústria. Está mais do que na hora do início de um processo de substituição de produtos fósseis – leia-se aqui o petróleo – para uma matéria-prima limpa, cuja tecnologia somos detentores”, raciocina Alfred Szwarc.

Nesta segunda-feira (05/10), em comunicado à Imprensa, a Brasken informou que a Johnson&Johsnon é a primeira indústria de higiene e beleza a fechar um acordo para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde Sundown®

A Resina é elaborada com matérias-primas 100% renováveis e o material tem o mesmo aspecto e propriedades dos plásticos tradicionais no produto final, com a diferença de que é capaz de capturar CO2 da atmosfera, ou seja, uma tonelada de resina verde capta 2,5 t de CO2, informa a Brasken.

“A empresa possui diversas outras atividades ligadas à responsabilidade ambiental como tratamento de efluentes, controle de resíduos sólidos, etc. No que diz respeito a embalagens, possuímos diversos projetos de utilização de material reciclado pré e pós-consumo, mas realmente a utilização da Resina Verde é uma ação inédita da companhia em todo o mundo", diz Marcelo Scatolini, gerente de grupo de Suncare da Johnson & Johnson.
Cronograma

As primeiras embalagens com o novo material chegam para o verão 2011/2012. Inicialmente, a Linha Regular de Protetores e Bloqueadores e a linha de bronzeadores Sundown® Gold serão as primeiras a serem produzidas com a embalagem de matéria-prima renovável, mas todo o portfólio deve passar a ser feito com a Resina Verde.

"A Johnson & Johnson terá exclusividade no mercado de proteção solar no Brasil e segue avaliando o uso do polietileno verde em outras linhas de produto e em outras regiões do mundo. A Resina Verde veio ampliar a relação de Sundown® com o Sol. Além do produto, agora a embalagem também terá essa relação, já que este material só existe porque o sol dá a energia necessária para o desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar", afirma Rui Chammas, diretor do negócio polietileno da Braskem.

O Eteno Verde é produzido a partir da desidratação do etanol da cana-de-açúcar (o mesmo que hoje é utilizado como combustível nos carros flex) e depois polimerizado em polietileno verde, em unidades industriais que serão dedicadas exclusivamente ao produto. Este plástico pode ser utilizado em todas as aplicações onde hoje se utiliza a versão petroquímica, sem qualquer adaptação em máquinas ou processos produtivos.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

UNICA to EPA – Sugarcane Ethanol Reduces GHGs








In a 40 page letter submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UNICA, the organization representing the Brazilian sugarcane industry, noted that even accounting for theoretical Indirect Land Use Changes, sugarcane ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by up to 85 percent. In addition, the organization cites that sugarcane ethanol is a viable way to help the U.S. meet the advanced biofuels requirements of RFS2 (Renewable Fuels Standard).

“We emphatically demonstrated, with verifiable scientific evidence, that Brazilian ethanol is certainly an appropriate alternative for meeting the advanced biofuel requirements of RFS2,” says UNICA’s Chief Representative for North America, Joel Velasco.

The implementation of RFS2 is more than a year delayed and court actions could be taken if the EPA doesn’t take action quickly. One area of concern has been the question of whether the ethanol industry will, or can, meet the cellulosic ethanol requirements. To alleviate this issue, UNICA has suggested modifying the rules to include advanced biofuels such as sugarcane, rather than drowning cellulosic ethanol via the action of waiving that portion of the mandate.

According to EPA calculations, Brazilian cane ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 44 percent considering a 2005 gasoline baseline. That would classify sugarcane ethanol as an advanced biofuel. Nevertheless, under suggested revisions, UNICA points out that sugarcane ethanol would reduce GHG emissions by 82 percent or more.

“We are confident that EPA will make an independent, scientific determination that sugarcane ethanol qualifies as an advanced biofuel under RFS2,” concludes Velasco.

UNICA to EPA – Sugarcane Ethanol Reduces GHGs








In a 40 page letter submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UNICA, the organization representing the Brazilian sugarcane industry, noted that even accounting for theoretical Indirect Land Use Changes, sugarcane ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by up to 85 percent. In addition, the organization cites that sugarcane ethanol is a viable way to help the U.S. meet the advanced biofuels requirements of RFS2 (Renewable Fuels Standard).

“We emphatically demonstrated, with verifiable scientific evidence, that Brazilian ethanol is certainly an appropriate alternative for meeting the advanced biofuel requirements of RFS2,” says UNICA’s Chief Representative for North America, Joel Velasco.

The implementation of RFS2 is more than a year delayed and court actions could be taken if the EPA doesn’t take action quickly. One area of concern has been the question of whether the ethanol industry will, or can, meet the cellulosic ethanol requirements. To alleviate this issue, UNICA has suggested modifying the rules to include advanced biofuels such as sugarcane, rather than drowning cellulosic ethanol via the action of waiving that portion of the mandate.

According to EPA calculations, Brazilian cane ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 44 percent considering a 2005 gasoline baseline. That would classify sugarcane ethanol as an advanced biofuel. Nevertheless, under suggested revisions, UNICA points out that sugarcane ethanol would reduce GHG emissions by 82 percent or more.

“We are confident that EPA will make an independent, scientific determination that sugarcane ethanol qualifies as an advanced biofuel under RFS2,” concludes Velasco.

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