DuPont and JBS enter into alliance to produce sodium methylate in the country
Valor Econômico
American multinational DuPont and Brazilian meat giant JBS entered into a partnership to produce sodium methylate in Brazil. The product, which speeds the production of biodiesel, will be produced in the JBS plant in Pirapozinho (SP). The decision of producing sodium methylate in Brazil reflects the potential of the biodiesel market in the country that since the beginning of this year is operating the B5 - a 5% mixture of biodiesel in diesel. The national consumption of biofuel is estimated at 2.4 billion litters for this year, which means a demand from 40 thousand to 60 thousand tons of sodium methylate. In the international market, the consumption of biodiesel gets to 11 billion liters and generates a demand 220 thousand tons of sodium methylate.
DuPont is one of the largest producers of sodium methylate and it is the leader in the United States. JBS has become a respectable biodiesel producer in the country after the absorption of Bertin. Together, the two companies have joined the useful to the pleasant. In other words, the two companies will benefit from their synergies to negotiate the catalyst in the internal market. DuPont currently imports sodium methylate from the USA.
The unit will have capacity to produce 60 thousand tons/year. Last month, BASF announced it will put into operation its first plant in the country as of the second half of 2011, also to produce 60 thousand tons a year. "DuPont has been monitoring the biofuel market for at least 10 years. We believe in the growth of this segment. It is a one-way route", said Vinícius Soares, Director of the DuPont Division of Chemical Solutions for Latin America. The association with a group of the relevance of JBS was the quickest way to move forward in such market, according to the Executive. The location of the JBS plant was also decisive to establish the partnership, said Soares.