Be8 and Government of Paraná confirm Protocol of Intent that enables investments in soybean crusher

New plant with a processing capacity of 5,000 tons per day of soybeans will be in Marialva (PR), where the company already produces biodiesel

The company has just increased the installed capacity of biofuel production in the city from 15.4% to 540 million liters per year

Be8 also signs a Protocol of Intentions with the Municipality of Marialva, considering tax aspects of theinvestment

Be8 and the Government of the State of Paraná digitally signed, on Wednesday, June 14, a Protocol of Intent, to enable investments in a Soybean Crusher in Marialva, where the company already has a biodiesel production unit. The new plant will have a processing capacity of 5,000 tons per day of soybeans for the t produce oil, meal and soybean hull.

The company estimates that the investment may reach R $ 1.5 billion, but this amount will now be formatted in the step following the signing of the protocol. The production will be destined to the feed industry and the oil will be raw material for the manufacture of biodiesel. When it reaches full operating capacity, soybean consumption will be 85,000 bags per day, mostly from suppliers in Paraná.

"This important investment, in addition to further boosting the economy of Marialva and the region, will place Paraná in a more prominent place in the production of biodiesel. We are becoming a reference when it comes to sustainability and clean energy," said Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior, Governor of Paraná. "There are more jobs and income for the people of Paraná, respecting the environment and promoting the growth of our economy in a sustainable way," he added.

"Be8 is contemplated in competitive Paraná. Important investment for Paraná, for the city of Marialva, for the expansion of the operation that is already done here with great success and great impact on the collection of the municipality and the generation of jobs, which is our goal, "said Ricardo Barros, Secretary of Industry and Commerce of Paraná.

"With this announcement, we follow our growth strategy in Brazil, expanding our structure in the biodiesel and food production chain, fulfilling our role of positive transformation of the energy scenario and making sustainable deliveries to people, businesses and the planet, generating jobs and development for the country," said Erasmo Carlos Battistella, president of Be8.

The new venture will foster the creation of at least 100 direct and approximately 2,000 indirect jobs, in addition to the movement of about 1,200 jobs that will be generated from the beginning of the works and last for a construction period of at least 24 months.

Marialva City Hall

Another Protocol of Intentions was also signed with the Municipality of Marialva which dealt with municipal tax aspects of the investment. "Marialva can only be thankful for Be8's confidence in settling and growing here. For us it is a great pride!" commented Mayor Victor Martini.

Growing demand for biodiesel

Esmagadora's strategic position in the existing biodiesel complex in Marialva is ideal to supply more feedstock (soybean oil) to the growing market demand with the increase of the biodiesel blend set at 12% (B12) since April 2023 – and which is expected to reach B15 by 2026. The company has just increased for the sixth time the installed capacity of biofuel production in the city, now by 15.4%, raising to 540 million liters per year. "The Crusher project has been in the company's planning for some time and we accelerated investments due to the resumption of the mixing mandates," celebrates Battistella.

The city also has a privileged location; on the one hand, the logistics favorable to the Port of Paranaguá and, on the other, the supply of the Midwest region, which enhances the destination of the bran for export and for the national market.

Structure

The project foresees the construction of a physical structure of 96,000 m² in an area that will house bulk warehouses, grain receiving and processing plant of 20,000 tons per day, considering road and rail modes, and the processing plant of 5,000 tons.

The unit already has authorization from the environmental agency for the installation and the project is now in the definition phase of the industrial technology that will be used in production. The expectation is that the works [will begin] in the next six months.

Esmagadora will have a waste treatment system for soybean processing (protein), cooling towers, biomass boiler park, new transmission line and 138kV electric power substation, storage and shipment of soybean meal in road and rail modes, connecting the unit to the port of Paranaguá.

Biodiesel in Marialva

According to the Economic Impact Study conducted by the Economic Research Institute Foundation (FIPE), Be8 was responsible for 44.41% of Marialva's GDP. The company contributed, directly or indirectly, with a total of R$ 5.2 billion in the accumulated between 2010, when the factory started production, and 2020 (2020 values). In the same period, the net increase in tax collection was R$ 780 million.  Regarding jobs, the company contributed directly or indirectly a total of 1,400 additional jobs in the city in 2020.

Be8

Founded in 2005, Be8 is a Brazilian company of the ECB Group Holding. Currently, it is the largest producer of biodiesel in the country and has set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. In Brazil, the company has an office in São Paulo and, in addition to Marialva, has another biodiesel production unit in Passo Fundo (RS) – where its headquarters are also located.

The company has a presence in two other countries. In Switzerland, it trades and operates second-generation biofuels, with the production of biodiesel from used cooking oil (UCO).

In South America, there was the purchase of the La Paloma complex in Paraguay for the crushing of soybeans and the production of biodiesel. Also in Paraguay, the Omega Green project continues, which will produce advanced biofuels and serve strategic sectors such as civil aviation and the chemical and petrochemical industry.

In 2022, it was announced the investment in a new unit in Passo Fundo, which will be responsible for the largest large-scale ethanol production in Rio Grande do Sul. When the installation is completed, the unit will produce 220 million liters of ethanol (anhydrous or hydrated) and 155,000 tons per year of bran for the animal protein chain.