The fruitful knowledge and experience exchange was the main objective of the technical visit to Tereos’ factory in Bucy-le-Long, France, on October 8 th. On this occasion, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry and Bioenergy Association (UNICA) was represented by Mrs. Raquel Lages. She accompanied Brazilian Congressman José Vítor Resende de Aguiar, the leader of the Parliamentary Front for Ethanol in the Brazilian Congress. The visit also saw the participation of Bioenergy National Union (UDOP), represented by its CEO Antonio Salibe and President Director Hugo Cagno. This event was part of the Sugarcane Ethanol Project, a partnership between UNICA and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).
During this visit to the beet sugar factory, participants gained valuable insights into the entire agricultural process, from planting to harvesting, as well as the intricacies of sugar production. Tereos’ factory processes approximately 16,800 tons of sugar beets daily, with each beetroot yielding around 20 sugar cubes. The European Union is the third-largest sugar producer in the world, representing 10.2% of the global sugar production in 2023 and the world’s leading producer of beet sugar, with around 50% of the total amount.
Meanwhile, Brazilian representatives shared the Brazilian successful case in producing sugar from sugarcane and highlighted the importance of biofuels in the energy transition and sustainable practices in the agricultural sector. They underscored the commitment of Brazil’s sugar and bioenergy sectors to fostering collaboration and sharing insights in the pursuit of sustainability and innovation.
By exchanging experiences, both Brazil and the EU can enhance their respective sugar and ethanol industries, promoting not only economic growth but also strengthening commercial and political ties. Together, they can lead the way in developing a more sustainable and resilient global sugar and ethanol industry, benefiting producers and consumers alike.
About Sugarcane Ethanol Project
ApexBrasil and UNICA made public in 2008, through the Brazilian Sugarcane Ethanol partnership, a strategy to promote the image of sugarcane products abroad, especially Brazilian ethanol as a clean and renewable energy. In 2023, the two entities signed an agreement that provides for shared investments.
The sectoral project aims to influence the process of building the image of ethanol and other sugarcane derivatives among the main global opinion makers – governments and the media, as well as trading companies, potential investors and importers, NGOs and consumers.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investments to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. In order to achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out several trade promotion initiatives aimed at promoting Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business rounds, support to the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that also aim at strengthening the Brazil brand. The Agency also acts in a coordinated way with public and private players to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil with a focus on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
About UNICA
UNICA is the main representative body for sugar, bioethanol and other bioenergy products from mills located in the Center-South region of Brazil. Currently, it has more than 120 associated companies, which represent 60% of the sugar and ethanol produced in the country. UNICA has its headquarters in São Paulo and Brasília, as well as offices.
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