Brazil's Ethanol Sector Expands Beyond Sugarcane
Brazil's ethanol sector is expanding its reach beyond traditional sugarcane-powered vehicles. According to Henrique Berbert de Amorim Neto, president of APLA, emerging technologies in agriculture and aviation are driving demand for the biofuel.
Agricultural machinery powered by ethanol could become a significant source of new demand, with manufacturers developing ethanol-powered tractors and sugarcane harvesters. Flex-fuel systems capable of incorporating ethanol into diesel engines are also being explored.
The shift towards corn-based production is expected to play a key role in meeting emerging demand, with corn accounting for nearly 30% of Brazil's ethanol output this year compared to about 25% last year. Corn ethanol is currently the main frontier for expansion.