Biomass Journey to Brazil
Last May, a delegation led by Ruud Lubbers, Chairman of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative Council, visited Brazil. The purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities for collaboration in the production and export of solid and liquid biomass (e.g. wood, ethanol, soy, biodiesel). The delegation was composed of approximately 25 representatives of the entire biomass chain: ports, the energy and fuel sector, the chemical industry, research and consultancy, governments, storage and transshipment. There were scheduled meetings with companies, scientists, and local governments at various levels.
Brazil is a vital partner for the development of a ‘bio based economy’ in Europe. The Netherlands, together with Flanders, play an important part in this endeavour. In between South Holland, East and West Flanders, and Antwerp lies a bio based delta that offers a unique access point to North-West Europe. The challenge is to ensure an adequate supply of sustainable biomass without harming the environment or compromising food quality. Consequently, companies are in need of reliable partners in the countries of origin.
The delegation has explored opportunities to collaborate, and was updated on the Brazilian views on biomass. This includes their take on the production and use of bioethanol. There is potential for bioethanol in the Netherlands as well. Ethanol export is hampered by an EU import levy as well as by Brazil's own demand, and by complex pricing issues. Another concern that was discussed was Brazil's growth strategy for biodiesel, and the use of wood as an auxiliary fuel in power stations. Export of wood (chips or pallets) as an auxiliary fuel is not (yet) to be expected as the costs of large volume wood export are too high at this time. However, wood is being exported to England as the country's policies for auxiliary fuel in power stations are better established.
Both the delegation and its Brazilian counterparts view the deployment of biomass as a base material for the chemical industry as very promising.
Finally, the delegation learned that Brazilian companies and governments are relying on efficiency improvements and the use of new technology to increase production and stimulate export opportunities. The Netherlands and its Rotterdam harbour may significantly contribute to improving the logistics and port development in Brazil.
Visits to a number of departments gave an indication of a self-conscious and emerging country that is guided by People, Planet, and Profit for its further development.
Without a doubt, there are opportunities for Dutch companies interested in Brazilian biomass. The development of the Dutch bio-economy profits from maintaining a good relationship with Brazil. The journey has certainly contributed to this.
Please follow the links below for further information on the visit including several presentations.
- Rotterdam
Climate Initiative visiting Brazil – May 2012 (pdf) [background information]
- Presentations* of several parties involved from Europa and Brazil:
- AGN Participacoes (pdf)
- Agren New Energy (pdf)
- APLA
- Aprobio
- Argos – North Sea Group
- Avantium Chemicals
- Benri 1
- Benri 2
- BioPark Terneuzen
- Brasilian Reference Centre on Biomass 1
- Brasilian
Reference Centre on Biomass 2
- Consideacoes Finais
- CTBE
- Deltalinqs
- Deltalins – LNG
- GDF Suez (pdf)
- Investe Sao Paulo
- KEMA
- Port of Rotterdam (pdf)
- Port of Rotterdam
- Poyry (pdf)
- Poyry
- RCI – Deltalinqs Energy Forum
- Suikerunie
- TNO
* All files are PowerPoint-presentations unless otherwise shown
