Brazil and the world market in the development of technologies for the production of second-generation ethanol
Daniel de Cerqueira Lima e Penalva Santos, Carlos Eduardo Fernandes Corrêa, Yana Amaral Alves, Cristina Souza, Ronney Arismel Mancebo Boloy
Abstract
Due to the environmental impacts of fossil fuels, agro-industrial residues have become a viable alternative for a more ecological production of fuels. This research aims to investigate Brazil's participation in the technology developments by using biomass to produce second-generation ethanol. Searches were carried out using technological information contained in patent documents applied worldwide. The results showed an increase in the number of patents applied between 2006 and 2015, but not enough for the sector to reach technological maturity to deal with the great challenges faced by industrial plants on a commercial scale. Public investments have directly impacted the creation of inventions associated with second-generation ethanol. Among the players, Chinese public organizations stand out, as well as North American companies and, to a much less extent, Brazilian universities. Most private companies originated from traditional petrochemical sectors, evidencing a strategic movement of capital already established to meet the growing trends towards biofuels. Despite being the second-largest ethanol producer globally, Brazil has low national technological development. Even though a recent downturn was felt, it is concluded that the sector faces a favorable scenario in the production of biofuels for the coming decades, based on new technological routes.