Brazilian company FS Bioenergia inaugurated this month a corn ethanol plant, the first in the country, to produce 210 million litres per year.

The plant was built by a joint venture between the local agro-company Fiagril and US-based Summit Agricultural Group with investments of BRL 450 million (USD 141.1m/EUR 120.2m), said the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Farming.

Brazil is the biggest sugarcane ethanol producer globally. The US, meanwhile, is the top ethanol producer, relying mainly on corn as feedstock.

Located in the municipality of Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso state, Brazil's first corn ethanol plant will also generate power and make other corn products like oil and bran. The plant will use fiber-removing technology during the ethanol production process, improving yield and efficiency by creating co-products rich in essential nutrients, the ministry noted.

President Michel Temer, present during the inauguration, said that this is just the first of other projects in line with Brazil's targets under the Paris Climate Accord.

Article by Renewables Now: Brazil opens first corn ethanol plant