Agro2 opens demonstration plant for sustainable ethanol production

Agro2, a Panaman company using locally produced cassava for the production of sustainable ethanol, has opened its first demonstration plant in the province of Veraguas, Panama. The plant is constructed and setup in strategic partnership with EcoEnergy, Colombia. In presence of national and local representatives of the agricultural sector, the Panamese government and the media, its doors were officially opened on 28 September, 2011. The presence of so many local stakeholders is a vivid example of their involvement and interest in the project.

This demonstration plant can produce up to 500 L of ethanol a day. Mid 2012 a larger plant will be opened with a capacity of 5000 L a day. Agro2 director and owner Frans van Hulle: "This demonstration plant, a striking example for innovative projects to produce ethanol, is a first step towards the larger production site. We hope that our experience with the production of cassava will give an impulse to the production and development of biofuels in Panama. We therefore share all knowledge we gain along the way."

Agro2 is member of CIAT-CLAYUCA, a Latin American research association for cassava, and is financed by NL Agency through the Global Sustainable Biomass Fund and by FACT Foundation.
For more information, please take a look at the Agro2 website.