Brazil
November 12, 2013
- Dedicated biomass acreage grows in Brazil.
- Cost competitiveness and high agricultural performance in different regions of the country are the main factors behind the acreage growth of planted biomass sorghum in the bioenergy market.
While the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) announced that Brazil’s GDP grew 0.9% in 2012 compared to the previous year, ANEE (the National Electric Energy Agency) reported that in the same period the Brazilian consumption of electricity increased 3.5%. Despite being strongly driven by hydroelectric power supply, Brazil has been advancing in alternative energy sources in recent years, as observed in the most recent energy auctions held in Brazil, the last of which closed on August 28th. The search for alternatives to meet the growing demand for energy in Brazil is diverse, and includes, among biomasses: wood chips and sugarcane bagasse, as the most common sources of raw material; however, due to high demand and relative scarcity, a new trend arises: crops specifically dedicated to biomass production, among which biomass sorghum stands out.
“The expectation of growth in the dedicated biomass acreage is substantial, provided that the proposed raw materials meet the market on: cost, ease of cultivation and good geography for expansion. Population growth requires larger volumes of food and also higher energy production from the agricultural sector”, says Tatiana Gonsalves, commercial director of NexSteppe in Brazil. Biomass sorghum, when compared to other alternative crops, stands out for its capacity to meet the market in its basic requirements: cost, cultivation and geography as well as having a broad genetic base and rapid improvement cycle, essential to produce dedicated plants. Palo Alto, trade name of Nexsteppe’s biomass sorghum, is specially developed to meet the biopower market due to its low humidity and consequent high calorific power in the boilers.
NexSteppe is the only company exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of sustainable solutions in raw materials for biofuels, bioproducts and biopower industries. The company highlights are its highly trained professionals that guide the field to produce more and achieve the maximum potential of energy crops. “We invest in training and qualification of our professionals, as a means to provide services marked by quality and accuracy to the segment, adding value to businesses”, adds Tatiana.
Biomass Sorghum has a fast cycle, of about 100 to 120 days, which allows two crops per year. Producers from Cerrados are already expanding their agricultural frontiers, planting energy crops in low potential areas for food production. This is a perfect integration that shows how the agricultural area can fulfill its role, providing food and also energy to society”, says Tatiana.
ABOUT NEXSTEPPE
NexSteppe is a company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of scalable, reliable and economically efficient raw materials for the biofuels, bioenergy and biobased products industries. Through the development and commercialization of tailored crops and fully integrated solutions for raw materials, NexSteppe is laying the foundations for a safer and more sustainable future for our economy, our environment and our energy supply. For more information, please visit www.nexsteppe.com.br
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