en.Wedoany.com Reported - CJ Selecta is advancing the RenovaBio certification process for its world's first industrial-scale soybean ethanol plant. The company is a producer of soybean protein concentrate (SPC), soybean oil, lecithin, soybean ethanol, and organic mineral fertilizers in Brazil. The project, initiated in 2018, integrates technological innovation, production efficiency, and proven greenhouse gas emission reductions, aiming to solidify the company's pioneering role in the energy transition.
The development of soybean ethanol originated from the need to add value to soybean molasses, a byproduct that has historically been less profitable and subject to seasonal demand fluctuations. Alessandro Reis, CEO of CJ Selecta, stated that the project was driven by a strategic vision of sustainability from its inception, aiming to close its production chain and reduce the carbon footprint of its products, as ethanol is a key input for the production of its main product, SPC. The pioneering nature of the project lies in the fact that there were no reference cases for industrial-scale soybean ethanol production.
To overcome this challenge, the company partnered with a strategic supplier specializing in alcohol fermentation and conducted extensive laboratory and pilot-scale studies. These trials helped identify yeast strains capable of converting raffinose and stachyose from soybeans into ethanol with viable yields. Alessandro emphasized that this was a lengthy process based on scientific and technical validation, which gave them the confidence to advance a production model unprecedented globally. After determining the material balance, CJ Selecta estimated its theoretical capacity at up to 10 million liters of hydrous ethanol per year. Of this, approximately 3 million liters are used for internal consumption in SPC production, while about 7 million liters can be sold to gas stations in the Araguari and Uberlândia regions. Construction of the plant began in 2020, and after 10 months of installation and a 3-month wait for approval from Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), it commenced operations in March 2021.
The latest development for the project is related to the National Biofuel Policy (RenovaBio), which recognizes and rewards emission reductions through carbon credits (CBios). In 2023, CJ Selecta formally applied to join the program. Due to the entirely new technological route, the ANP initiated a verification process involving federal agencies such as the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). Alessandro noted that this collaborative effort is crucial to ensure the soybean ethanol route is correctly recognized for its actual decarbonization potential. The RenovaCalc tool has verified the environmental performance of this soybean ethanol: its emissions are 47.05% lower than gasoline, equivalent to 46.28 g CO2eq/MJ, compared to 87.40 g CO2eq/MJ for gasoline. Based on this data, the company estimates it can reduce emissions by 7,000 to 8,000 tons of CO2 equivalent annually, which would generate the same number of CBios. Alessandro stated that the certification process is in its final stages, awaiting regulatory updates to include the soybean route, with the generation and trading of CBios expected to begin in 2026.
Looking to the future of this initiative, the company has conducted a soybean carbon footprint study and, since 2021, has been collaborating with Embrapa and the ANP to build a new biofuel route. Alessandro praised that the carbon footprint measurement and collaboration with authoritative institutions reflect CJ Selecta's commitment to scientific progress and developing sustainable solutions for Brazil's energy matrix. Incorporating the new route into RenovaBio is an important step in recognizing environmental benefits and strengthening biofuels as a driver of the energy transition. The Brazilian Vegetable Oil Industries Association (ABIOVE) supports the project. Daniel Furlan Amaral, its Director of Economic and Regulatory Affairs, believes the initiative aligns with the industry's growth context of high production and processing volumes, significantly increasing soybean's participation in the energy matrix, consolidating Brazil's leadership in providing high-value-added products, and demonstrating an efficient and sustainable industrial model.
CJ Selecta has been producing soybean derivatives since 1984 and is part of the CJ Bio division of South Korea's CJ Group. The company is headquartered in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, with its industrial operations in Araguari and several branches across Brazil. It is one of the main exporters of soybean protein concentrate, sourcing raw materials including both genetically modified and non-genetically modified soybeans. Since 2019, the company has also been producing specialty fertilizers and plant nutrition solutions.
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