Partnership promotes biological solutions and aims to transform Brazil’s sugar and energy sector with environmentally balanced, export-ready innovations
At Agrishow 2025—Latin America’s largest agricultural exhibition—Brazil’s Agronomic Institute (IAC-Apta) and Koppert Brasil, a global leader in biological control, signed a technical cooperation agreement to validate and implement sustainable biological technologies in sugarcane production. The collaboration aims to reduce reliance on chemical inputs, foster soil health, and improve productivity, aligning with Brazil’s export ambitions and agro-environmental goals.
H2: Sustainable Solutions for a Strategic Export Crop
Sugarcane is one of Brazil’s most significant export crops, accounting for major volumes of global raw sugar and ethanol. In 2024, Brazil exported over 24 million metric tons of raw sugar, with key importers including India, China, Indonesia, and the European Union.
By integrating Koppert’s biological inputs into sugarcane systems, the IAC-Koppert collaboration not only boosts domestic sustainability but strengthens Brazil’s position in global markets increasingly focused on residue-free, biologically-managed crops.
“This collaboration establishes management protocols using biological products that favor soil and plant health,” said Isabela Beton, Market Development Consultant at Koppert Brasil.
H2: Five-Year R&D Focus with Demonstration Farms
The agreement includes the creation of a one-hectare biological management module at IAC’s Sugarcane Center, which will be used for field validation, technical visits, and field days. These real-time demonstration platforms are critical for future commercial scalability.
Koppert’s inputs, including macrobiological agents applied via Natutec drones, and microbial-based formulations, will be tested under varying agronomic conditions. Annual KPIs will track soil biodiversity, plant vigor, and yield performance.
H2: Strengthening Innovation Through Public-Private Partnership
The project underscores Brazil’s emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPP) in agricultural innovation. It encourages cross-sector research, combining IAC’s institutional credibility with Koppert’s industry knowledge.
“The partnership aims to strengthen innovation in Brazil’s sugar and energy sector,” said Mauro Xavier, IAC Sugarcane Center Director.
The IAC will leverage its 1,279-hectare research infrastructure and over 160 researchers to support these trials. As sugarcane plays a dual role in both food and renewable energy sectors, the initiative’s success could also benefit Brazil’s ethanol export programs.
H2: Koppert’s R&D and Market Reach
Operating in Brazil since 2011, Koppert Brasil has built robust infrastructure with macrobiological and microbiological units in Piracicaba and Charqueada, respectively. Its in-house R&D department works with SPARCBio and Gazebo, ensuring its technologies are customized for tropical agriculture.
Koppert’s main competitor in Brazil is Ballagro, followed by Embrapa-licensed bioinput providers. However, Koppert leads in technological application and drone-based delivery systems, giving it a significant competitive edge.
H2: Export & Trade Outlook
Brazil’s rising global reputation for biological crop solutions is likely to benefit from this partnership. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, bioinput exports grew 12% YoY in 2024, primarily targeting Latin American and Southeast Asian markets.
With this agreement, Koppert’s Brazilian unit is well-positioned to scale bioinput exports in tandem with sugarcane product exports. Demand for biologically-managed sugarcane derivatives—especially ethanol—is rising in countries with strict sustainability standards, such as Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
