Petrobras and Novozymes Partner to Develop Bioethanol from Sugar Cane Bagasse

Brazil's federal oil and gas company Petrobras has signed an agreement with Danish industrial enzymes maker Novozymes A/S to develop enzymes for the production of ethanol from sugar cane bagasse. The initiative aims to boost Brazil's ethanol production by 40% without increasing cultivation areas. Brazil is the world's largest sugar cane producer, with an extraction capacity of 600 million tonnes per year, producing 27 billion litres (7.13 billion gallons) of ethanol annually.

Key Takeaways:

• Petrobras and Novozymes A/S have signed an agreement to develop enzymes for the production of ethanol from sugar cane bagasse.
• The commercial potential of cellulose ethanol in Brazil is significant due to the abundant availability of sugar cane bagasse.
• Brazil is the world's largest sugar cane producer, with an extraction capacity of 600 million tonnes per year.
• The new technology is expected to boost Brazil's ethanol production by 40% without increasing cultivation areas.
• Novozymes is already testing the use of enzymes to convert sugar cane bagasse into ethanol.
• Petrobras has been studying the production of ethanol from sugar cane through biochemical processes since 2006.
• Sugar cane bagasse is abundantly available in Brazil and can be used to produce bioethanol.
• Enzymes are used to break down biomass into sugars that can be fermented into bioethanol.

Statistics:

• Brazil produces 27 billion litres (7.13 billion gallons) of ethanol annually.
• The country has an extraction capacity of 600 million tonnes of sugar cane per year.
• The new technology is expected to boost Brazil's ethanol production by 40%.
• Sugar cane bagasse is a residue remaining after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice.
• Petrobras has been studying the production of ethanol from sugar cane through biochemical processes for 4 years.

Sources:

• ADPnews - 18 Oct 2010