SOUND CULTURE, INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
Innovations focused on renewable energy is Raízen’s bet for the coming years. Produced by Jassen Pintado
Written by Flávia Brancato
Interviewee Leonardo Pontes, Vice-President of Downstream, Raízen
Energy
Raízen
T
he 10th anniversary of
Pontes. “Our energy is essential
Raízen is a landmark in
to mobilize people and leverage
a successful path and
business, and our bets are already
strengthens the company’s
visible and are producing excellent
importance in the energy
results, delivering a low carbon
transition scenario. As
economy to society”, celebrates the
from the development of its vertically
executive.
integrated renewable and downstream energy ecosystems, the company
BUSINESS UNITS
has been able to triple its EBITDA
With over 40,000 employees,
and pave avenues for growth that
Raízen operates 35 sugar, ethanol
will certainly remain stable in the
and bioenergy production units in the
next decade.
states of São Paulo, Goiás, Minas
The fruit of a strategic partnership
Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul, which
between Shell and Cosan, giants in the have an installed capacity to crush
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energy, fuel and logistics segments,
around 105 million tons of sugarcane
and creating the largest integrated
per year, in addition to a second-
and vertical player in the world, the
generation ethanol plant (E2G) and
company is recognized in the market
a biogas plant. The company also
as Green Champion and a source
has 3.2 million acres of agricultural
of great pride for the Vice-President
areas cultivated with state-of-the-
of Downstream at Raízen, Leonardo
art technology and 99% mechanized
Raízen
Energy
Our energy is essential to mobilize people and leverage business, and our bets are already visible and are producing excellent results - Leonardo Pontes, Vice-President of Downstream, Raízen
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Raízen
Energy
“Sugar cane has a huge potential for converting solar energy into affordable biomass” - Leonardo Pontes, Vice-President of Downstream, Raízen
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harvesting, and installed capacity of
with more than 1,000 Shell Select
around 1.3GW for energy generation.
convenience stores, in addition to the
According to Pontes, 2.1 TWh
OXXO markets. In the B2B and retail
of electricity was produced from
segments, in the crop year 2019-20,
sugarcane biomass in the last harvest.
approximately 7.1 billion gallons of
At the other end of its operations,
fuel were sold, with operations in all
Raízen has a reseller network of more
regions of Brazil through 67 airport
than 7,000 Shell branded service
supply bases and 67 fuel distribution
stations in Brazil and Argentina. And,
terminals. In Argentina, where the
through the NÓS Group (JV with
company has operated under the
FEMSA Comercio), it operates in retail
Shell brand since 2018, 1.6 billion
Energy
Raízen
The company has 3.2 million acres of agr icultural areas
gallons of fuel were sold in the same
and logistical process. Deemed to be
period, with a network of around 730
a leader in the production of biofuels
Shell stations, a refinery, a lubricant
and bioelectricity from sugarcane,
plant, four land terminals and two
Raízen continues investing to expand
supply bases in airports.
its portfolio in renewable sources,
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND INVESTMENTS The advantages of climate, land
with the implementation of new technologies, such as cellulosic ethanol (second generation or E2G), in
availability and differentiated export
addition to projects for the production
logistics are some of the strengths
of biogas, biomass and solar energy
that provide an efficient production
generation.
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Raízen
Energy
We will continue to invest in solutions that contribute to the global energy transition agenda on a gradual and sustainable basis - Leonardo Pontes, Vice-President of Downstream, Raízen
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Energy
Raízen
According to Pontes, Raízen is
reducing emissions from industrial
the only company able to produce
processes, Raízen’s production
E2G ethanol on a commercial scale
plants are no longer power plants and
in the world. “Sugar cane has a
became bioenergy parks. Furthermore,
huge potential for converting solar
with the circular economy as one of
energy into affordable biomass. The
the company’s pillars, 23 of its units
importance of this milestone is one
are self-sufficient in the cogeneration
of the main growth verticals for the
of electricity from biomass burning,
next decade, since currently this is
and 13 of them export surplus
the biofuel with the lowest carbon
bioelectricity to the network.
footprint in the world (which serves as
Pontes also evaluates the
an integral substitute for gasoline or,
company’s performance and
when mixed with gasoline, improves
prospects. “Raízen is attentive to
fuel quality as it has a smaller carbon
acting in an innovative way in global
footprint). In addition, E2G represents
trends, such as the growing demand
an opportunity for us to increase our
for clean energy, the accelerating
productivity by up to 50% over the
digital revolution, new habits and
same cultivated area”.
perspectives for distributed energy
Actively acting in the fight against
generation. Thus, we will continue to
climate change by promoting
invest in solutions that contribute to
decarbonization through a robust
the global energy transition agenda on
portfolio of renewable energies and
a gradual and sustainable basis.”
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Raízen
Energy
EVOLUTION AND RECOGNITION As evolution highlights, the VicePresident shows the privilege of being part of a path of growth and success
that has exponentially increased the company’s interaction with end consumers in Brazil. “I have been in the group’s executive
and he mentions the development of
board of officers for seven years; I
the retail partnership with the FEMSA
am responsible for the Downstream
group - which aims at exploring the
business, which encompasses all
nearby retail business in Brazil, in
logistical operations, retail and
addition to the creation of Shell Box,
B2B’s sales channels. In this period,
a payment and loyalty application
I experienced phases of economic
The alliance with Shell has p roven its i mpo r tance as a revenue avenue
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Energy
Raízen
Raí zen is the only company able to p roduce E 2G ethanol on a commercial scale in the wor ld
expansion and recession. However,
process phases and due to the intense
with our entrepreneurial culture,
work carried out in all group’s units,
capital discipline, unique assets that
Raízen has a series of recognitions
comprise our team, logistics, brand
including 10 certifications that
and scale, we continue to increase
strength the quality in production, full
our market share and to improve our
compliance with several international
return on investment. According to
requirements, and concern about the
many investors, today we are the
community and sustainable growth.
benchmark in the Brazilian market”, Pontes points out. Always valuing quality and operational efficiency at all production
Among the recognitions, noteworthy is Bonsucro, international social and environmental certification of sugarcane and all its derivatives; the
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Raízen
Energy
In 2020, Raízen structured a governance of donations and investments to ensure actions to combat and prevent the coronavirus. The company donated around 290,500 gallons of 70% alcohol to 98 hospitals, covering over 100 cities across the country - Leonardo Pontes, Vice-President of Downstream, Raízen
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Energy
Raízen
ISCC, which guarantees compliance
reducing ethanol’s carbon footprint
with the sustainability parameters of
by 10%; reducing water collection
production in the European Union
by 10%; ensuring a robust
under the Renewable Fuels Directives;
traceability system for 100% of
the EPA, registration of ethanol with
the volume of crushed cane;
the American environmental agency,
and to ensuring internationally
and the CARB, the certification that
recognized sustainability programs
guarantees access to the Californian
for sugarcane sources.
ethanol market.
As we believe that sustainable development should consider the
COMMITMENTS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
balance of environmental, economic and social factors in business
To continue its work to combat
management, social responsibility
climate change, including to reduce
is at the base of Raízen’s strategic
emissions from processes and to
pillars, permeating all stages of the
increase the offer of renewable
company’s production and business
products for society, in this crop year
processes. The executive also
2020-21, Raízen publicly assumed
highlights the achievements during
commitments to be achieved by 2030
the pandemic. “In 2020, Raízen
in line to the Sustainable Development
structured a governance of donations
Goals (SDGs) established by the
and investments to ensure actions to
United Nations (UN). Among them:
combat and prevent the coronavirus.
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Raízen
The company donated around 290,500 gallons of 70% alcohol to 98 hospitals, covering over 100 cities across the country”. Another outstanding action takes place through the Raízen Foundation, the company’s social and educational branch present in seven cities in the states of São Paulo and Goiás. Every day, around 1,400 socially vulnerable children and teenagers are assisted. “Boosting an entire network of solidarity, Raízen continues with the incentive and investment in internal volunteer programs that impact the surrounding communities”, concludes Pontes. INDUSTRY: Energy CONTACT: 0810 999 7435 www.raizen.com.br
14
November 2021
Raízen
Energy
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0810 999 7435 www.raizen.com.br
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