Brazilian grain giant Caramuru begins soybean-based ethanol sales
(Reuters) - Brazilian food and fuel processor Caramuru Alimentos, one of the country's largest grain crushers, has started selling soybean-based ethanol at one of its plants in center-western Brazil, it said on Wednesday.
The development makes Caramuru one of the first companies in the world to produce at scale and sell hydrous ethanol made from soy molasses, a soybean by-product, the company said in a statement.
Hydrous ethanol can be used as automotive fuel in Brazil, where most cars can run on 100% ethanol, and is also widely used in the production of perfumes, hard-surface cleaners, solvents and paints.
Brazil, the world's largest soybean producer and exporter, is also a global leader in biofuels such as ethanol and soy-based biodiesel. The former, however, is normally produced from sugarcane or corn.
The soybean-based ethanol is now sold at Caramuru's plant in the center-western town of Sorriso, which can produce up to 9.5 million liters of hydrous ethanol per year, according to the company.
It expects to sell 72% of that volume in the domestic market, while the remaining will be used by the firm at the plant to make soy protein concentrate. Caramuru hopes the move will also help it lower costs.
The Sorriso plant in Brazil's top grain-producing state Mato Grosso also makes soy meal, soy oil and lecithin.
The soybean-based ethanol project was funded by an agency tied to the federal government, Caramuru said.
Caramuru is Brazil's sixth-largest soybean crusher and second-largest corn processor, as well as a major biodiesel player.
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