Bunge plans starring in green petrochemistry, says Executive
DCI 07/22/10
About to complete the operational integration of the assets of sugar and alcohol of the plants of Grupo Moema, Bunge begins outlining its expansion plans in the sector. And the growth foreseen by the company goes through the use of sugarcane to produce chemical inputs, the so-called green petrochemistry. "We have contracted researches with partner companies, and they are going well. We can say the perspectives are great", said Pedro Parente, President of Bunge Brasil, in an event held yesterday by the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham).Late last year, Bunge entered into a partnership with the North American biotechnology company Amyris to develop studies aiming at the use of sugarcane to produce chemical inputs, as well as other fuels such as diesel. According to Parente, the flexibility of the sugarcane, which can be used to produce sugar, ethanol, electricity and chemical products, turns such culture into one of the great products of the Brazilian economy.
"Sugarcane was the major product of the country in the past, it is the great product of the moment and it will be the product of the future, because, among other factors, of the possibility of producing chemical inputs", said the Executive, stressing out that the sugar and alcohol sector is a priority in the operations of Bunge in Brazil. The company currently has seven plants in operation in the Country, located in the States of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul, and it is erecting a new unit in Tocantins.
Even after the acquisition of the assets of the Moema group, in February this year, Parente said, in an interview yesterday, that Bunge still has appetite for new acquisitions in the sugar and alcohol sector. "In this segment, we look at brownfield projects as well, that is, the expansion of the current assets", said the Executive. According to sources of the market, Bunge has also fought for the purchase of the sugar and alcohol assets of Equipav, acquired by the Indian Shree Renuka Sugars.