Praj Industries, a leader in industrial biotechnology, has marked a significant milestone by inaugurating its first grain-based ethanol project in Brazil, the world’s ethanol capital. This development represents Brazil’s strategic shift from sugar-based to grain-based ethanol production, diversifying its feedstock sources.
Grain-Based Ethanol Projects
Praj has successfully delivered a starch-to-ethanol plant for Fermap Industria De Alcool in Ipiranga do Norte, Mato Grosso. This facility, utilizing 150 million tonnes of corn feedstock daily, produces 63,000 liters of ethanol per day. Notably, the plant features low energy consumption, high ethanol yield, zero liquid discharge, and a low carbon footprint.
In addition to this, Praj has signed a contract for another ethanol plant with a global renewable energy company in Brazil. Engineering for this project will commence this quarter, with construction slated for the following quarter.
Expanding Footprint in Brazil
Brazil has traditionally relied on sugarcane for ethanol production but is rapidly transitioning to starch-based ethanol from corn and wheat. Praj’s extensive experience with these feedstocks, demonstrated by successful projects in the UK, positions it as a key player in Brazil’s evolving ethanol landscape.
Praj is also collaborating with Be8, a major Brazilian biodiesel company, to develop a starch-to-ethanol plant in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. This facility will produce either 654,000 liters of anhydrous ethanol or 688,000 liters of hydrous ethanol daily from 1,500 tonnes of corn, or 597,000 liters of anhydrous ethanol or 628,000 liters of hydrous ethanol from wheat. The plant’s multi-feedstock and multi-product technology ensure low energy use and a reduced carbon footprint.
Global Ventures and Future Plans
Praj’s international ventures extend beyond Brazil. The company is involved in significant projects, such as building state-of-the-art modules for one of Europe’s largest Blue Hydrogen projects and designing three alcohol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel plants in the US. Praj has also supplied a large alcohol-to-jet modular demonstration unit in the USA for converting Isobutanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Additionally, a French company has contracted Praj to set up a greenfield plant in Ivory Coast, Africa.
CEO and MD Shishir Joshipura highlighted Praj’s ambition to achieve a 50:50 split between domestic and export business by 2030. The company is focusing on emerging segments like compressed bio-gas (CBG), SAF, and energy transition and climate action (ETCA).
Growth in Domestic Market
Praj has seen significant growth in its domestic energy business, driven by starch-based ethanol plants, which comprise 90% of the domestic order book. The company is engaging with several customers to transition from single-feedstock to multi-feedstock systems.
Praj has also commissioned commercial-scale CBG plants using press mud and rice straw, achieving benchmark yields with proprietary bio-solutions technology. With these successes, Praj now operates commercial-scale CBG projects using spent wash, press mud, and rice straw, and is exploring additional feedstocks.
Looking Ahead
Praj Industries is well on its way to transforming its business, emphasizing sustainable and innovative energy solutions. Its efforts in Brazil and globally reflect a commitment to enhancing ethanol production efficiency and environmental sustainability, setting a precedent for future advancements in the bioenergy sector.
