The diversification of soy use is driving new business models in Brazil. At the center of this movement is the CJ Selectwhich opened the world’s first industrial-scale soy ethanol plant and is moving towards consolidating Brazil as a protagonist in advanced biofuels.
The development of soy ethanol arose from a common challenge for the industry: giving a better destination to soy molasses, a low-value co-product with unstable demand. The solution found was innovative. After years of research that began in 2018, the company managed to technically enable the conversion of the sugars present in this residue into ethanol, using specific yeasts capable of fermenting complex compounds such as raffinose and stachyose.
Without global references for this type of industrial-scale production, the project required extensive laboratory tests and validations in a pilot plant. The result was the creation of an unprecedented production model, which began operating in 2021, following regulatory approval.
“Current capacity reaches around 10 million liters of ethanol per year. Part of this volume is reused internally in the production of soy protein concentrate (SPC), while the remainder supplies the regional fuel market in Minas Gerais”, says Fernando Betinardi, the company’s industrial director.
In addition to industrial innovation, soy ethanol presents relevant environmental gains. Data indicates that its greenhouse gas emissions are around 47% lower than those of gasoline. This places biofuel in a strategic position within RenovaBio, a national policy that encourages decarbonization through the issuance of carbon credits (CBios).
The company is in the final certification phase of the program and is awaiting the official inclusion of this new technological route in regulation. The expectation is to start generating and selling credits by 2026, with the potential to avoid between 7 thousand and 8 thousand tons of CO₂ per year.
Circular economy in practice
The model adopted by CJ Selecta exemplifies a circular economy system. What was once waste, molasses, is now transformed into an energy input. This integrated cycle increases production efficiency and reduces waste, while reducing the carbon footprint.
This logic also applies to the company’s main product: soy protein concentrate. Used mainly to feed salmon, it replaces fishmeal, reducing pressure on marine resources and offering a more sustainable alternative for global aquaculture.
Today, the company produces around 400 thousand tons of SPC annually, exporting the majority of it to markets such as Europe and South America, where the main salmon production centers are located, especially Norway and Chile.
Soy ethanol could be just the beginning. The company is already studying progress in the production of biodiesel from soybean oil generated in its industrial operation. With an annual production of approximately 130 thousand tons of this input, there is potential to significantly expand the supply of renewable fuels.
The project is still in the evaluation phase, but remains aligned with decarbonization goals and the logic of full use of raw materials, further reinforcing Brazil’s position as a supplier of clean energy.
Brazilian protagonism and added value
The movement led by CJ Selecta reflects a broader trend in Brazilian agribusiness: transforming commodities into products with greater added value. By integrating the production of vegetable protein and biofuels, the sector increases its international competitiveness and contributes to a more sustainable energy matrix.
Entities in the sector also highlight the positive impact of this innovation, both in the diversification of the soy chain and in the strengthening of the national industry. In a scenario of growing demand for low-carbon solutions, initiatives like this place Brazil in a strategic position in the global energy transition.
More than a technological advance, soy ethanol symbolizes a paradigm shift: soy is no longer just food but also energy, efficiency and sustainability.
With the first industrial plant in the world, CJ Selecta consolidates its leadership and reinforces its pioneering role in the energy transition, by advancing the RenovaBio certification process
Rich in sugar, molasses, until a few years ago, was mainly used for cattle feed, “but suffered a strong devaluation in periods of rain, when the supply of pasture increased”, recalls Betinardi.
