New Video Details Low-Carbon Solutions from Sugarcane
By Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association unica, PRNEThursday, June 16, 2011
SAO PAULO, June 17, 2011 -
An old solution to modern challenges is the subject of a video
that made its debut at a major event focused on renewable energies,
held a week ago in Brazil. The video, produced by the Brazilian
Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), details the benefits of
using sugarcane-based energy solutions to cut CO2 emissions,
achieve energy diversity and promote sustainable economic growth -
things Brazil, the world’s largest sugarcane producer, has been
doing for nearly four decades.
“Imagine a Future with Sugarcane” is an animated video first
shown at the 2011 Ethanol Summit, organized by UNICA in Sao Paulo
on June 6 and 7. More than 1,200 Summit participants from around
the world and thousands on the internet watched it as part of the
launch of SugarCane.org, a new
website introduced by UNICA to spread the word about clean
solutions from sugarcane.
“With global energy needs doubling in the next three decades,
the search for low-carbon solutions has become vital. Sugarcane is
the basic input for a diverse and expanding range of value-added
products that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions that contribute
to global warming,” said UNICA’s President and CEO, Marcos Jank.
Sugarcane use dates back to 1532 in Brazil, making it the country’s
first documented economic activity.
The video explains that as sugarcane grows, it stores energy by
producing sucrose, a high-energy sweetener, and cellulose, the
plant matter in leaves and straw. Some of that energy becomes
innovation is unlocking an expanding range of new uses and
products, including
which cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to
gasoline. Brazil has been a large-scale sugarcane ethanol producer
and user since the mid-1970s.
Other uses developed in recent years and poised to expand
rapidly are
and
like jet fuel, diesel, gasoline and fine chemicals.
“Imagine needing only soil, sunshine and water to create a clean
power plant that can replace gasoline, diesel, plastics and much
more. Solutions from sugarcane are expanding in leaps and bounds
and moving well beyond Brazil’s borders to help with global energy
needs and climate change. We hope our new
video will help make it clear that the dream of creating a
healthier, cleaner planet is achievable,” he stressed.
To view “Imagine a Future with Sugarcane,” please visit
SugarCane.org.
ABOUT UNICA
The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) represents
the top producers of sugar and ethanol in the country’s
South-Central region, especially the state of Sao Paulo, which
accounts for about 60% of the country’s sugarcane harvest and of
total ethanol production. UNICA develops position papers,
statistics and specific research in support of Brazil’s sugar,
ethanol and bioelectricity sectors. In 2010, Brazil produced an
estimated 620 million metric tonnes of sugarcane, which yielded
38.1 million tonnes of sugar and 27.4 billion litres of ethanol,
making it the number-one sugarcane grower and sugar producer in the
world, and the second-largest ethanol producer on the planet,
behind the United States.
MORE INFORMATION:
CDN Corporate Communications, Sao Paulo.
Rosa Webster +5511-3643-2707 - rosa.webster@cdn.com.br
Mariane dos Santos +5511-3643-2730 - mariane.santos@cdn.com.br
.
Tags: Brazil, Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), June 17, Sao paulo
