Using Cetrel’s know-how in waste-stream treatment and Novozymes’ biotech expertise, the partners aim to enable sugar and ethanol production plants in Brazil to turn bagasse, the waste from sugarcane production, into biogas using enzymes. The biogas can be used to produce electricity for the production facilities, and surplus electricity can be sold to the market through the electric grid.
Nei Silva, CEO of Cetrel, said: “Cetrel has been upholding environmental equilibrium within the industrial process since its origin 30 years ago. For the past few years, we have driven our experience in innovative projects toward alternative bioenergy sources and means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And we’re very glad to share this knowledge with Novozymes to reinforce and strengthen our technologies.”
Thomas Videbæk, executive vice president of Novozymes, said: “Our agreement with Cetrel is perfectly aligned with our vision to develop a biobased society, where biorefineries convert agricultural residues and waste into energy, chemicals and other materials, thereby substituting fossil fuels. The project also offers strong technical and commercial synergy with our efforts on advanced biofuels.”
Sugarcane bagasse is said to be a potentially abundant source of energy for Brazil. According to estimates, bagasse could meet 20% of Brazil’s energy consumption by 2020.
