Caramuru, Biocen partner to develop corn ethanol plant

Caramuru, a Brazilian oilseed processor announced it has formed a joint venture (JV) with Brazil based Biocen – Bioenergia Celeiro do Norte S.A to develop a corn ethanol plant in central Brazil. Caramuru will own 51% of the JV, while Biocen will own 49%. 

The facility, planned for development in Nova Ubiratã, in the state of Mato Grosso, is expected to have the capacity to process 605,000 metric tons of corn annually, enabling the production of approximately 68.95 million gallons of ethanol, 175,000 tons of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and 12,000 metric tons of corn oil annually. The facility is currently scheduled to begin operations during the first half of 2026.

Caramuru estimates the facility will cost R$1.1 billion ($200.08 million) to develop. The site for the proposed plant was strategically chosen, as Mato Grosso accounts for nearly 39% of Brazil’s corn production. The region also has a large population of livestock, including beef cattle, swine and poultry, which will create a market for DDGS coproducts.