Be8 Begins Receiving Wheat for New Ethanol Plant in Rio Grande do Sul

With an investment of R$ 1.5 billion, Be8 has begun storing wheat for its new plant in Passo Fundo, focused on sustainable ethanol and food production.

The advancement of the energy transition in Brazil gains another strategic chapter in the southern region of the country.

Be8 has begun receiving the first shipments of wheat at its new industrial complex located in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul.

With a financial contribution exceeding R$ 1.5 billion, the initiative aims to transform the state’s productive matrix by utilizing winter cereals to manufacture biofuels and food supplies.

The early grain movement is taking place alongside ongoing construction work on the facility, ensuring supply for the plant’s future operational phase.

Production capacity and market impact

The project was designed to process approximately 525,000 metric tons of cereals annually.

Although the primary focus is wheat, the technology used allows for the processing of triticale, corn, and other compatible crops.

In terms of output, estimates project an annual production of 210 million liters of ethanol, strengthening the supply of clean fuels in the domestic market.

In addition to biofuel, the facility will generate 26,900 metric tons of vital gluten and 153,000 metric tons of DDGS, a high-nutritional-value coproduct destined for the animal nutrition chain.

Integration with regional agribusiness

Initial storage coincides with the harvest in the state of RS, where Emater/RS-Ascar projects a cultivated area of 814.2 thousand hectares and an average yield of 2,701 kilograms per hectare.

To ensure raw material supply, Be8 structured a development program engaging local farmers, cooperatives, and retailers, guaranteeing the purchase of participating production.

Erasmo Carlos Battistella, president of Be8, stated:

“The start of wheat reception brings the industry closer to the producer and takes a concrete step toward building this supply chain.”

Timeline and future outlook

The completion of civil construction is scheduled for the end of the year, making way for industrial testing and equipment commissioning in January 2027.

The company expects to achieve full commercial operation during the first quarter of 2027, consolidating its presence in the renewable energy sector.

The initiative reinforces the role of regional agribusiness in the transition to clean energy sources, adding value to winter crops and driving the decarbonization of the national economy.