Petrobras Biocombustível inaugurates extension to biodiesel plant in Gerais state

Petrobras Biocombustível recently inaugurated an extension to its Usina de Biodiesel Darcy Ribeiro biodiesel plant, in Montes Claros in Minas Gerais state. The company is the biofuel division of Brazilian oil giant Petrobras, which is also Brazil’s leading biofuel supplier. The project was a partnership between Petrobras and the state government of Minas Gerais, Brazil’s second biggest biodiesel consumer.
Out of the total project cost of BRL$28 million (US$13.7 million), BRL$10 million (US$4.9 million) went to the construction of the facility extension and BRL$18 million (US$8.8 million) was used to boost small farming in Minas Gerais. The plant’s production capacity went up by 40%, to 152 million liters per year from the current 108.6 million liters.
The extension will increase Petrobras Biocombustível’s production capacity to 765 million liters per year and by 2014 the project will include the participation of 4,500 small farmers. (December 13, 2012)