Product Offerings
Products:
Ethanol: Corn-based ethanol for fuel
DDG/DDGS: Dried Distillers Grains for animal nutrition
The União Nacional do Etanol de Milho (UNEM) is Brazil’s national association dedicated to representing and advancing the interests of the corn ethanol sector. Established to support the growth of corn-based ethanol production in Brazil, UNEM plays a strategic role in industry development, public policy advocacy, and sustainability promotion. Headquartered in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso—one of Brazil’s top grain-producing regions—UNEM acts as the primary voice for one of the country's fastest-growing renewable fuel segments.
Organizational Mission and Structure
UNEM operates as a nonprofit industry association comprising corn ethanol producers, agribusiness stakeholders, logistics operators, and technology providers. The organization’s mission is to:
- Promote the expansion of the corn ethanol industry in Brazil
- Advocate for sustainable energy policies and incentives
- Support innovation and technological advancement in biofuel production
- Serve as a hub for market intelligence and data dissemination
As of 2023, UNEM represents over 80% of the installed corn ethanol production capacity in Brazil.
Industry Context and Economic Importance
Brazil is globally recognized as a leader in biofuels, primarily from sugarcane. However, the corn ethanol industry has surged in recent years due to the strategic location of corn surplus in the Center-West region and the growing demand for renewable energy and animal feed co-products.
According to UNEM and data from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture:
- In 2022, Brazil produced approximately 5.5 billion liters of corn ethanol—up from just 1.3 billion liters in 2018
- The number of corn ethanol plants in Brazil grew from 2 in 2015 to 21 by 2023
- Mato Grosso accounts for around 70% of national corn ethanol output
- The sector created over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs
Core Products and Co-products
UNEM promotes the benefits of corn ethanol and its co-products:
- Corn Ethanol: Used as a biofuel for blending with gasoline under Brazil’s RenovaBio program, contributing to national decarbonization targets
- DDG/DDGS (Dried Distillers Grains and Solubles): High-protein animal feed co-product used in poultry, swine, and cattle nutrition
- Corn Oil: Extracted during ethanol processing and used in food or biodiesel production
Each metric ton of corn processed typically yields:
- 400 liters of ethanol
- 300 kg of DDGS
- 17 kg of corn oil
Policy Engagement and Advocacy
UNEM plays an active role in shaping bioenergy policy at federal and state levels. The organization is deeply involved in:
- Supporting the RenovaBio carbon credit system (CBIOs)
- Advocating for tax parity between sugarcane and corn ethanol
- Promoting incentives for new plant construction and technology upgrades
- Ensuring corn ethanol’s inclusion in national energy planning
Through engagement with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, ANP (National Petroleum Agency), and MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture), UNEM influences strategic decisions affecting the bioeconomy.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Corn ethanol contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in Brazil’s transport sector. UNEM supports sustainability initiatives, including:
- Life cycle analysis of corn ethanol emissions
- Certification under RenovaBio, with many plants achieving high Energy-Environmental Efficiency Scores
- Promotion of carbon capture, water reuse, and waste valorization practices
According to data from the RenovaCalc platform, corn ethanol in Brazil can reduce GHG emissions by up to 70% compared to gasoline, depending on plant efficiency and logistics.
Data, Research, and Technical Support
UNEM functions as an information hub for the sector by:
- Publishing market reports and production statistics
- Organizing technical seminars and national conferences
- Supporting academic and institutional research on ethanol production and efficiency
The association partners with universities, industry labs, and financial institutions to provide benchmarking tools and investment insights.
Strategic Partnerships and Influence
UNEM collaborates with:
- UNICA (Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association)
- APROSOJA (Association of Soybean and Corn Producers)
- ABIARROZ, ABIOVE, and other agribusiness stakeholders
- International biofuel alliances to share best practices and promote exports
These alliances help position Brazil as a global leader in diversified biofuel production and technological innovation.
Future Outlook
Driven by increasing fuel demand, grain surplus, and carbon reduction goals, corn ethanol is poised to become a mainstay in Brazil’s renewable energy portfolio. According to UNEM’s 2023 projections:
- National corn ethanol production is expected to reach 10 billion liters by 2030
- At least 15 new plants are in the pipeline for development
- DDGS production will reach over 4 million tons annually, helping replace imported feed ingredients
UNEM remains at the forefront of this growth, ensuring the industry’s sustainability, profitability, and alignment with global clean energy trends.