News

Primavera do Leste, December 7, 2021 – FS, the first and largest ethanol producer in Brazil that uses 100% corn to manufacture its products (ethanol, animal nutrition and electricity), announces its expansion in Mato Grosso and the construction of a third plant in Primavera do Leste (MT).

The plant will be constructed in two phases, with an estimated investment of R$2.3 billion and will generate nearly 8 thousand indirect jobs during the construction phases and 500 direct and indirect jobs during its operation. Landscaping works have already initiated and the plant’s total production capacity, which is scheduled to open in 2023, will be 585 million liters of ethanol per year.

“Primavera do Leste is a very important region for FS due to the large supply of corn and its strategic location for the distribution of our products”, said Rafael Abud, the CEO of FS, also commenting that “we are already negotiating corn purchases to supply our first production season”.

Currently with its two plants, in Lucas do Rio Verde and Sorriso, Mato Grosso, FS already has a production capacity of over 1.4 billion liters of ethanol/year. The inauguration of the Primavera do Leste plant is expected to place the Company as one of the four largest ethanol producers in Brazil, with a production capacity of 2 billion liters of ethanol/year. With its investment plan, which includes three additional plants by 2026, all in the state of Mato Grosso, FS will reach a production capacity of approximately 5 billion liters of ethanol per year.

Production capacity of the Primavera do Leste plant

• 1,3 million tons of corn
• 585 million liters of ethanol
• 18 thousand tons of corn oil
• 570 thousand tons of DDGs
• 191 megawatts of electricity

Expansion plans based on sustainability

In 2020, FS was certified to join RenovaBio and issue decarbonization credits (CBIOs) and, in 2021, published six long-term commitments to society under the FS 2030 Sustainability Commitment. These goals are related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in line with the Paris Agreement.

FS currently holds the best Energy-Environmental Efficiency Rating (NEEA) for anhydrous ethanol and the second best rating for hydrated ethanol. FS is also the only certified corn ethanol producer that discloses primary data, including traceability of agricultural emissions from grain suppliers, and is aligned with the Green Bond principles, as confirmed by an assessment from Sustainalytics.

Also in 2021, FS announced the implementation of a revolutionary system worldwide: BECCS – Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. The BECCS system will be installed at FS’ Lucas do Rio Verde plant. The carbon injection site will be located within a 5km radius of the plant, to be defined according to geological and seismic studies, with a depth of 3km and will be monitored during its use. Worldwide, there are currently 18 bioenergy projects using the BECCS system.

Investments for this project will total R$250 million, and it is estimated to eliminate 400 thousand tons of carbon, annually. By implementing the system, FS will be among the few global companies, and the first from RenovaBio, to have a negative carbon footprint. The Company’s goal is to reach 32 million Cbios issued by 2030 with this pioneer technology and the implementation of its expansion plan.

About FS

FS is the first Brazilian ethanol company to use corn in 100% of its production. The Company currently has two plants, one in Lucas do Rio Verde and another in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, and is already the largest producer of corn ethanol in the country, with a production capacity of 1.4 billion liters per year. In addition to ethanol, FS uses cutting-edge technology to manufacture animal nutrition, known by the acronym DDG (Dried Distillers Grains), corn oil and bioelectricity products.

FS prioritizes and constantly invests in sustainability. The Company is aimed at consolidating its sustainable development agenda and strengthening its long-term commitments to society and therefore adopts a set of actions defined for its six long-term commitments (FS 2030 Sustainability Commitment), created in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement for 2030. One of these actions is the implementation of the BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) system, which will place the Company among the few global players, and the first in RenovaBio, to have a negative carbon footprint.
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Informações à imprensa

Ketchum
Jaqueline Frederes
jaqueline.frederes@ketchum.com.br
+55 11 99148-4478

FS
Carlos Lima
carlos.lima@fs.agr.br
+55 11 98271-088