What does Brazil need to do for replacing 10% of the world demand of gasoline by ethanol from sugarcane by the year 2025? A Brazilian group of scientists leaded by the physicist Rogério Cezar de Cerqueira Leite started a study in 2005 to answer to this important question.

The study was supported by the Center for Management and Strategic Studies (CGEE) and pointed out a series of actions that, together, would improve the management of the agronomic and industrial sectors. Among these actions we may cite the development of new technologies for producing ethanol from sugarcane bagasse and trash recovery for energy production. To succeed, basic research and technological innovation must be carried out at high level standards. These challenges have inspired the creation of the Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol - CTBE).

CTBE is a Brazilian national laboratory founded by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) to operate as:

1) a research Institute, performing competitive RD&I for improving feedstock and conversion routes for bioethanol production from sugarcane;
2) a partner of other research organizations working in related areas, through a network of associated laboratories in universities and research institutes;
3) a technology supplier for the industry, providing strategic information on mutual concerns.

CTBE's facilities is under construction in Campinas, Sao Paulo.
Photo by: Mario Belloni Jr.

CTBE integrates the  Brazilian Center of Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), a private not-for-profit organization. The facilities of CTBE are being built in Campinas, São Paulo. When completed, the 7900 square meters of infrastructure will house up to 50 permanent researchers, a similar number of visitors (graduate students, PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and associated researchers) and 90 technical collaborators, working towards the goals of the Laboratory. CTBE first building will house laboratories, researchers and administrative personnel and shall be completed by September 2009.

Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory will focus, initially, in five main research programs:

• Basic Science

• Pilot Plant for Process Development (PPDP)
  
• Low Impact Mechanization for No-till Farming of Sugarcane
  
• Sustainability
  
• Sugarcane Virtual Biorefinery