Brazil Dedini to sell membrane ethanol systems

02 July 2008 00:48  [Source: ICIS news]

PIRACICABA, Brazil (ICIS news)--Brazilian equipment maker Dedini said on Tuesday that it will start selling membrane-based ethanol systems that allow sugarcane mills to use less steam, but produce the same amount of ethanol.

The membrane system will be used during the production process to separate water from ethanol, said Dedini vice-president Jose Luis Oliverio during an industry event in Piracicaba, Sao Paulo.

The technology is already being used in some corn-based ethanol mills in North America, but it has never been used in a sugarcane plant.

The company has signed a deal with Canada’s Vaperma, which will supply Dedini with its patented membrane technology.

Under the deal Dedini with have exclusive commercial rights in all Latin America, Oliverio said.

The initial investment to build a membrane-based mill can be up to 30% higher compared with other technologies, Oliverio said.

However, the executive said that money would be recovered in the long term due to savings on steam and energy.

In addition, ethanol mills can use the extra steam to produce electricity that can be used at the mill or sold in the market, he said.

Dedini plans to launch production at a membrane-based pilot plant in Piracicaba to showcase the technology in Brazil.

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By: William Lemos
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