en.Wedoany.com Reported - The government of Mato Grosso, Brazil, and the Public Prosecutor's Office recently signed an environmental commitment term requiring industries and corn ethanol plants in the state to gradually phase out the use of biomass from native vegetation, with a complete ban starting in 2034. This decision could directly alter the energy structure of one of the fastest-growing sectors in agriculture.
Mato Grosso is Brazil's main corn-producing region, hosting the country's largest corn ethanol investment projects. This measure most directly impacts corn ethanol plants, an industry that has expanded rapidly in the state, with factories relying on biomass to provide thermal energy for boilers. The new rule stipulates that new projects may only use biomass from planted forests, sustainable forest management, or other legally authorized sources, prohibiting the use of raw materials derived from clearing native vegetation.
The environmental commitment term sets a transition timeline for existing operations and new projects: by 2030, the proportion of native biomass is capped at 50%; by 2031, reduced to 40%; by 2032, a 30% cap; by 2033, limited to 10%; and a complete ban from 2034 onward. The term also establishes a target of achieving 700,000 hectares of forest area by 2040, ensuring that corn ethanol expansion proceeds in a manner deemed sustainable by the state government.
In recent years, large groups have expanded operations in Mato Grosso, transforming the region into a national hub for biofuels. This rapid expansion has significantly increased demand for biomass used in industrial power generation. Industry executives have already warned that this change requires a swift adaptation of the production chain. FS, one of the largest companies in the sector in Brazil, has begun heavily investing in its own energy forests, with over 100,000 hectares of planted area and continuous replanting cycles to ensure energy self-sufficiency.
State Deputy Janaina Riva, the most voted legislator in the state's history, stated that the debate needs to find a balance between environmental protection and legal certainty to avoid creating uncertainty for the production sector. According to the deputy, a letter has been sent to the Environmental Secretariat to ensure legal certainty and transparency in the debate over biomass use by corn ethanol plants, aiming for a balanced transition that considers both environmental responsibility and the impact on the production sector.
Mato Grosso's decision to ban the use of biomass in corn ethanol plants should be closely monitored by the entire Brazilian agricultural sector. The state has become the country's main center for corn ethanol, adding value to local agricultural production. The regulatory change could accelerate investments in commercial forestry, increase operational costs in the short term, and potentially serve as a model for other states also expanding biofuel production projects.
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