JPM-LatAm Agribusiness Corn Ethanol：8 Lessons from the Industry Leading...-20251012

Last week, we participated in the 11th TECO conference, Latin America’s premier event for the corn industry, hosted by leading enzyme and yeast provider Novonesis. As panelists, we shared insights on the current and future profitability of the sector with over 300 attendees, representing every segment of the value chain – from machinery and raw material suppliers to ethanol producers themselves.Below are our top eight lessons from the event; our full presentation is available upon request.

•Novonesis divides the evolution of the corn ethanol industry in Brazil into three distinct phases. From 2015 to 2018, the concept’s viability in Brazil was still being tested, with most new plants operating as flex facilities attached to traditional sugarcane operations. Between 2018 and 2024, the industry experienced rapid expansion and consolidation, with total production volume increasing fivefold, primarily due to the launch of advanced, stand-alone plants. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, a phase of regional diversification is expected, bringing new players in emerging regions and new sources for both grain and biomass.