Brazil’s new ethanol venture to transform tequila plant waste into biofuel

In Brazil, Globo Rural reports Brazil’s agave plants, currently underutilized with only 4% used in sisal fiber production, are set to transform into a biofuel boon, as a new initiative leverages 95% of the residual biomass for ethanol production. The Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development and the government of Bahia have launched the Replanta Agave project, injecting R$2.6 million to promote this innovative use in the Sisal Territory, impacting 20 municipalities.

This project, aimed at revitalizing the local economy and optimizing agricultural practices in Brazil’s semi-arid regions, marks a significant pivot from traditional fiber production to sustainable energy creation. Ricardo Cappelli from ABDI emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative to foster economic growth and enhance the local industry. With a focus on sustainability and economic development, this initiative invites companies through a public tender to operationalize the conversion of agave waste into a valuable ethanol resource, promising a greener and more prosperous future for Bahia’s rural producers.