Brazilian prosecutors investigate the illegal use of native timber in corn ethanol manufacturing
Ana Luiza Peterlini, a prosecutor in Mato Grosso, Brazil, said that the state is investigating if corn ethanol plants burn wood from illegal deforestation for the production of biofuel. This would be against the decarbonization goals set by the sector. Mato Grosso, Brazil's largest soybean producer, accounts for 2/3 of the nation's corn-ethanol production. This has increased dramatically in recent years. Peterlini stated that the investigation by state prosecutors aims to determine whether plants are burning native wood illegally to generate energy during production. According to a complaint filed with prosecutors, while processing plants are supposed to use trees planted to fuel boilers for energy, some burn native wood that is about half the cost. "I'll investigate for sure." "The hypothesis that these companies use raw material from deforestation goes against industry logic," Peterlini said. He was referring to renewable fuels' lower carbon footprint.
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Brazil is a leader when it comes to biofuels, but the deforestation of the forest is the biggest source of greenhouse gases in the country. The next United Nations Climate Summit will be held in Brazil in November.
The government claimed a 11% decline in
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest
In the period from July to December, 5,796 square kilometers of jungle were destroyed. Nevertheless, 5 796 square kilometers were destroyed during the period. Peterlini stated that prosecutors will question Mato Grosso's environmental agency Sema regarding a rule for 2022 which allows the use native biomass in industrial applications, which may be at odds with federal forest codes. Peterlini said that if the rule is confirmed, she would recommend revoking it, citing difficulties in tracking the source of wood used in boilers.
According to the Mato Grosso Reforesters Association, more than half the wood used for corn ethanol production is derived from native trees.
Clair Bariviera, Arefloresta's President, said that more than half of the wood used in the corn-ethanol sector today is indigenous.
Bariviera says that illegal wood is around half the cost of eucalyptus trees.
EUCALYPTUS STRESS TEN corn ethanol plants operate in Mato Grosso, and the regulator ANP has approved the construction of seven more. According to the National Corn Ethanol Union(Unem), eight more plants are currently in the planning stage. According to Arefloresta, 30,000 hectares would be required to fuel 13.5 million tons of corn that will be milled into ethanol by 2025/26 if only eucalyptus trees were used in the boilers. While 140,000 hectares are planted in the state, wood is only available from 15,000 hectares per year. The majority of the trees are harvested for the paper industries. Bariviera explained that the supply is limited because it takes six to seven year for planted forests to mature.
Bariviera stated, "I have been the president of the association since three years. We've been fighting for the planting of forests in the State, saying that biomass would run out -- and it will." Unem refused to comment on the biomass supply, or any of the issues raised by prosecutors in their pending investigation. Sema didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Inpasa, Brazil's largest corn ethanol manufacturer, has two plants in Mato Grosso. It said that it adheres to Brazilian law, and that its biomass meets all compliance standards.
FS, with three plants in Mato Grosso said that it had 87,000 hectares planted forests including eucalyptus, bamboo and other trees. These assets, they added, were developed over the last eight years and could supply all operations and expand plans. Oliver Griffin, Brad Haynes, and Chizu Nomiyama edited the article. Roberto Samora reported.
(source: Reuters)