Technology for ethanol to have US$ 571.4 million in funding line
Valor Econômico
The Brazilian Government has decided to establish a program of support for the development of new technologies for the production of ethanol and other products from new uses of the sugar cane. The Studies and Projects Financing Agency (Finep) and the BNDES (National Development Bank) will invest R$ 1 billion (US$ 571.4 million) in the financing of new projects in the area. Intended to be the embryo for the developing an ethanol industrial complex in the country, the line competes with efforts made by other countries, especially the USA, from other species of plants. The new line is part of a R$ 1.75 billion (US$ 1 billion) partnership agreement executed this week between the two institutions.
The loans will be aimed at both the production of ethanol from the bagasse and the straw of the sugar cane (lignocellulosic technology), and on the production of new products, such as polymers, special oils and biodiesel. Fernandes said that during June the two institutions will structure the conditions for the new line that will be available in late July. The funds should be released along three or four years.
Another agreement signed between the Finep and the BNDES foresees the transfer of R$ 750 billion (US$ 428.6 billion) of the line for innovation of the bank so that the agency, whose specific purpose is to finance the research and development of new technologies, is able to increase its range of action. In practice, the Finep will become an accredited agent for the transfer of the funds of the BNDES line for innovation that was previously operated directly by the bank. The loans have subsidized interest of 3.5% for the priority areas of the Productive Development Policy (PDP) of the Government and 4.5% for the studies or actions of changes in processes of research & development (R&D) by the companies.
The Finep has also announced a line of R$ 130 million (US$ 74.3 million) to be invested in new technologies aimed at the pre-salt. The cash will be distributed between two public calls to be made next week: one, of R$ 100 million (US$ 57.1 million), for projects in partnership with science and technology institutions intended for solutions in equipment for the pre-salt. The other R$ 30 million (US$ 17.1 million) will support the creation or accreditation of laboratories in science and technology institutions in order to meet the demands of suppliers in the oil and gas chain.