100 Million: Learn All About the Largest Private Investment in Santiago's History

It will produce everything from hydrated alcohol, alcohol gel, and 70% alcohol, to gas for mineral water and soft drinks.

Along the BR 287 highway stands an innovative and promising venture: CB Bioenergia, Brazil's first wheat ethanol plant. The complex belongs to the Bonotto family, and the investment totals R$ 100 million. The facility represents a milestone for the region, creating jobs and boosting the regional economy. Leading this visionary project is director Tiago Gorski Lacerda, former mayor of Santiago, administrator, and professor, who granted an interview to NP, detailing the challenges, opportunities, and impact of CB Bioenergia on the municipality, the region, the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and the country.

Whe CB Bioenergia start operations, and what products and production capacity will it have?

Tiago: The forecast is for operations to start in the first half of 2025. We haven't delayed the start of work; we simply made an adaptation to the project, which was originally scheduled to start in December 2024. The production capacity will be 40,000 liters of alcohol per day, processing 100 tons of raw material within those same 24 hours.

Produzirá desde álcool hidratado, álcool gel, álcool 70 e até gás para água mineral e refrigerantes.

It will produce everything from hydrated alcohol, alcohol gel, and 70% alcohol, to gas for mineral water and soft drinks.

Tiago: Initially, the plant would only produce hydrated alcohol (for fuel use) and DDGS (animal feed meal). Later, adapting to market opportunities, the company will also produce neutral alcohol (for beverages and cosmetics), alcohol gel, 70% alcohol (for other purposes), and CO₂ (gas for mineral water, soft drinks, and welding). And it will continue to produce the animal feed meal, with a high protein content, approximately 30,000 kilograms per day.

Will CB only use wheat as its raw material?

Tiago: No. The technology used at the plant allows for the processing of all starchy cereals (with fermentable starch), such as sorghum, corn, wheat, rice, triticale, and barley. This ensures greater flexibility and security for crop commercialization, especially during the winter.

Read more: 100 milhões: saiba tudo sobre o maior investimento privado da história de Santiago - NP Expresso