Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Ferrari Agroindustria, Toho Gas and Sebigas Cotica Biogeneria have entered into a joint development agreement for a biomethane production pilot project in Brazil.
The quartet will explore producing biomethane from sugarcane waste and start detailed discussions on construction and operation of an industrial scale pilot plant with capacity of 5,500 Nm³ per day at FAI’s site in São Paulo, with the aim of starting operations in 2026.
In future, based on demonstration results, the companies aim to increase the volume of production up to a commercial scale in Brazil, with a view to exporting to Japan after developing the supply chain infrastructure including land logistics in Brazil and maritime transport.
Brazil is one of the countries with the greatest potential for bioenergy production due to its extensive agricultural activities, notably the largest sugarcane production, and experiences in biofuel production.
Its sugar-energy sector has opportunities yet to be explored to boost the production of biomethane. The large-scale mechanised sugarcane cultivation in Brazil allows for the efficient recovery of the raw materials needed for biomethane production.
Air Liquide announced last year it will build its first solid waste gas-to-biomethane purification unit in Latin America at the Cariacica landfill, with start-up scheduled for the second half of 2025.
The landfill site is owned and operated by Marca Ambiental and is responsible for half of the waste produced in Espirito Santo, Brazil. By producing biomethane from the site, Air Liquide can offer the local community an alternative low-carbon energy supply.
Read more: Air Liquide to develop waste-to-biomethane plant in Brazil
