BP Bunge Bioenergia concluded the 2023/24 harvest with notable improvements in key performance indicators. The company reported a 7% increase in net revenue compared to the 2022/23 harvest, reaching R$8.4 billion. Since the start of its joint venture operations in 2020/21, BP Bunge Bioenergia has invested a total of R$7 billion.
A significant investment is the R$530 million expansion project at the Pedro Afonso plant in Tocantins. This initiative is part of the company’s strategy to enhance its “robust operational structure,” which includes 11 agro-industrial units across five states: Tocantins (TO), Goiás (GO), Minas Gerais (MG), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), and São Paulo (SP).
The expansion, which commenced in October 2024 and is expected to be completed by July 2026, aims to boost the Tocantins plant’s sugarcane milling capacity by 800,000 tons, or 30%, increasing its capacity from 2.6 to 3.4 million tons per harvest. Consequently, BP Bunge Bioenergia’s total milling capacity will rise from 32.4 million to 33.2 million tons.
In the 2023/24 harvest, BP Bunge Bioenergia achieved a 14% increase in milling, reaching a record 28.6 million tons, nearly matching the company’s current capacity. Geovane Consul, CEO of BP Bunge Bioenergia, emphasized the significance of the Pedro Afonso expansion project, stating, “This investment is crucial as it allows us to expand our production capacity, supporting our growth objectives.”
Expansion of Sugarcane Fields
BP Bunge’s expansion plans for the Pedro Afonso plant include several key initiatives. One notable development is the planting of 6,000 new hectares of sugarcane, increasing the cultivated area by 20% to a total of 34,760 hectares. Additionally, around 20 new irrigation pivots will be installed, powered by renewable energy generated on-site, which will also be expanded.
The company will also introduce a system for localized vinasse application, a sustainable field management practice already in use at other BP Bunge units. This system will cover approximately 15,000 hectares. Consul noted, “Currently, 86% of the 450,000 hectares we manage use vinasse for fertigation, enhancing sugarcane field longevity and productivity while reducing water use. Our goal is to increase this to 96%, and the Pedro Afonso project aligns with this objective.”
Automation in Industry
The expansion project also includes technological upgrades aimed at boosting milling efficiency and energy cogeneration capacity. These advancements will enable the unit to generate up to 185 GWh of clean energy annually, an increase of 25,000 GWh.
The project is projected to result in a 40% increase in ethanol production capacity, raising output from 200 million liters to 280 million liters per harvest. In the previous harvest, BP Bunge already achieved a 15% increase in ethanol production, totaling 1.4 billion liters.
Consul highlighted, “Increasing our production capacity for renewable energy and ethanol not only enhances our competitiveness and business strength but also aligns with our commitment to sustainable growth.” He added, “We acknowledge the global energy transition challenges and our role in this process. Contributing to the decarbonization of the economy is a priority, and we are dedicated to expanding our impact in this area.”
