Mato Grosso Assesses Vegetation Suppression Insufficient for Biomass Supply, Launches New Plan

Mato Grosso's Secretary of Environment, Mauren Lazzaretti, stated this Thursday (16th) that the state assesses biomass from vegetation suppression alone will not be sufficient to supply the boilers of corn ethanol plants, given the strong growth in corn ethanol production. As a result, Mato Grosso has launched a new plan to stimulate the industrial production of biomass. Earlier this month, the state held a public hearing to discuss the use of native vegetation in “Sustainable Supply Plans (PSS) by large consumers of forest raw materials.” This followed an inquiry launched last year by the Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate potential illegalities in the consumption of native wood by industries, including corn ethanol plants. Native wood is among the primary raw materials for energy generation in the boilers that power corn ethanol plants, sparking an environmental debate about a fuel considered sustainable that is rapidly expanding in Brazil. Mato Grosso considers that there are no illegalities in these processes, partly because agricultural producers in the country have the legal right to deforest part of their property, thereby generating biomass supply. On the other hand, some of the biomass used in ethanol plants originates from planted eucalyptus wood, a practice seen as more sustainable and one that a newly launched state plan aims to expand. Lazzaretti highlighted, “Beyond the exponential increase in biomass demand, it is evident that suppression will not meet the demand, neither current nor future.” Therefore, the state is actively seeking more systematic and sustainable ways to ensure the long-term supply of biomass.