The joint venture, in which Santelisa Vale and Maeda Group would each hold 25 per cent, also intends to progress plans to build a second ethanol refinery, investing a total of approximately R$1.66 billion (US$1 billion) in the two refineries.

Assuming all the required approvals are received, BP will pay around R$100 million (US$59.8 million) for the 50 per cent stake, subject to working capital adjustments, and provide funding for agreed future investment in line with its shareholding. The parties said that they hoped to be able to complete the transaction before the end of June 2008.

"This investment, which is the largest made by an international oil company in the Brazilian ethanol industry represents a significant step in delivering BP's strategy for biofuels which centres around sustainable feedstocks which do not impact on food supplies and investing in research work to develop the technologies required to produce advanced biofuels," commented Phil New, head of BP Biofuels.

"BP is delighted to be partnering with two Brazilian companies with leading positions in their sectors and we look forward to a long relationship with them."

The joint venture will focus on potential sugarcane production and the manufacturing and marketing of conventional ethanol, including the associated agricultural assets and cogeneration plants. Sugarcane is the most efficient source of biofuel currently available.

Sugarcane lends itself to further improvement through the use of advanced biofuels technology and will therefore be a compelling source of renewable fuel for the foreseeable future. It provides a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of up to 80 per cent.

Operations at the first refinery are expected to commence during the second half of 2008, with full capacity anticipated by mid-2010. The refineries will be positioned to supply the Brazilian ethanol markets with the potential to export to the demand markets of US, Europe and Asia.

Besides developing sustainable biofuels, the refineries are expected to be able to sell surplus electricity, with each of them exporting at least 30 MW of surplus power from integrated bagasse cogeneration facilities. The facilities are also intended to offer a potential platform for deploying future technologies such as lignocellulosics and biobutanol.

The Maeda Group is one of the largest cotton producers in the world. "BP's decision to join Tropical Bioenergia in this new venture is significant," said Jorge Maeda, chief executive officer of Maeda Group.

"Today we are demonstrating how Maeda's unique agriculture expertise, attendant network of relationships, and knowledge of the region's soils, climate and rural labor conditions combined with Santelisa Vale's sugarcane expertise can provide sustainable renewable and reliable solutions for fuel."

Santelisa Vale Group is the second-largest sugar cane crusher in Brazil and the first in energy cogeneration from bagasse. As it already operates a number of ethanol refineries, Santelisa Vale has expertise along the entire value chain of ethanol/sugar production.

"BP's proven logistical, technological and fuel supply chain experience will enable a significant enhancement of our strategic plans," noted Anselmo Lopes Rodrigues, chief executive officer of Santelisa Vale.

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