President Lula today visited the Petrobras Research Centre (Cenpes) in Rio de Janeiro, where research is being conducted into the production of bioethanol from agro-industrial residues (lignocellulose). The President was also shown technology employed in producing diesel through the H-Bio process, along with other innovative technological processes for diesel production.

According to Petrobrás, the bioethanol pilot plant is the first in Brazil to conduct biofuel tests involving the breaking down of molecules through the action of enzymes, a process that increases sugarcane yields per hectare. On an experimental scale the plant is producing ethanol – from sugarcane bagasse and castor oilseed residues – at a rate equivalent to 220 litres per tonne of bagasse. It is anticipated that a larger plant will be in place by 2010, with the capacity to process ten tonnes of bagasse and produce 2,800 litres of ethanol per day. The aim is to assess production costs with a view to building industrial-scale plants in future.

The bioethanol obtained through this process is considered a 'second generation' biofuel, meaning it is produced using agricultural or agro-industrial residues. ‘First generation’ biofuels use agricultural products as raw materials, such as conventional ethanol produced from sugarcane, and biodiesel from vegetable oils and seeds.

Source: Office of the President and Embassy of Brazil in London