ICM, Inc., a leading provider of engineering, equipment, and technology solutions for the renewable fuels industry, has entered into a Professional Services and Equipment Purchase Agreement with FS Partner Indústria de Etanol S.A. (FS), one of Brazil’s largest ethanol producers. Under the agreement, ICM will design and supply key process technologies, equipment, and services for a new greenfield dry-mill grain ethanol production facility to be built near Campo Novo do Parecis, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.
The announcement marks another milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the two companies and underscores the growing importance of ethanol production in Brazil’s energy and agricultural sectors. Scheduled for completion in December 2026, the new plant will represent FS’s fourth greenfield facility in Mato Grosso and its most ambitious project to date.
A New Benchmark for Ethanol Production
The Campo Novo do Parecis plant will be modeled after FS’s Primavera do Leste facility, a project that already incorporates some of the most advanced ethanol production technologies in the country. However, the new plant will feature an even larger nameplate capacity, with the ability to produce up to 540 million liters of ethanol annually.
Beyond its ethanol output, the facility will serve as a multi-product hub that integrates renewable energy production with agricultural sustainability. Once operational, the plant will produce approximately 350,000 metric tons of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) annually, providing a valuable high-protein feed ingredient for cattle, poultry, and swine producers in the region. It will also generate 69,000 metric tons of corn oil, an increasingly valuable co-product used in animal feed, biodiesel, and food markets. Additionally, the facility will produce 56,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, supplying power to its operations and contributing surplus energy to the regional grid.
Economic Growth and Regional Development
The new ethanol facility is expected to create a significant boost for the local economy. During construction, the project is projected to generate approximately 600 direct jobs and as many as 8,000 indirect jobs across supporting industries such as construction, logistics, and local services. Once completed, the plant will provide long-term employment opportunities while fostering demand for locally grown corn and strengthening Mato Grosso’s role as a leader in Brazil’s bioeconomy.
Campo Novo do Parecis, situated in the heart of Mato Grosso’s agricultural belt, is strategically located near abundant corn supplies. The plant will not only provide a stable market for local farmers but also enhance regional economic integration by linking grain production with renewable energy and value-added coproducts.
Advanced Technologies Driving Efficiency
A critical component of the project is ICM’s contribution of its proprietary process technologies designed to maximize efficiency, boost ethanol yields, and improve the value of coproducts.
Key technologies to be deployed at the facility include:
- Base Tricanter System™: A patented solution for corn oil recovery that ensures high-quality oil separation while optimizing overall process performance.
- Selective Milling Technology™ (SMT™): An advanced milling process that enhances starch conversion efficiency, thereby increasing ethanol output per bushel of corn.
- Fiber Separation Technology™ (FST™): A unique system that separates fiber from the process stream, improving ethanol yield while creating higher-value animal feed coproducts.
In addition to delivering these technologies, ICM will provide engineering, process design, equipment, and startup services to ensure the facility operates at peak performance from day one.
Building on a Proven Partnership
The Campo Novo do Parecis project extends a relationship that has already proven highly successful. FS and ICM have collaborated on the development of three previous ethanol plants in Lucas do Rio Verde, Sorriso, and Primavera do Leste. Each of these projects has contributed to Brazil’s position as one of the world’s leading ethanol producers while setting new benchmarks in efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Executives from both companies emphasized that the partnership is rooted in mutual trust and a shared commitment to advancing renewable fuels.
“Our partnership with ICM has been instrumental in FS’s growth and in setting new benchmarks for ethanol production in Brazil,” said Matt Horsch, executive vice president of technology and operations at FS. “With three successful projects already behind us, we trust ICM’s expertise to help make Campo Novo do Parecis our largest and most advanced facility yet.”
“We are proud to continue building on our relationship with FS, delivering process technologies that set the gold standard for efficiency and reliability,” said Chris Mitchell, president and CEO of ICM. “This project reflects our shared commitment to advancing renewable fuels, supporting sustainable growth in Mato Grosso, and creating lasting value for the regional economy.”
Brazil’s Expanding Role in Global Ethanol
The agreement also highlights the strategic role that Brazil plays in global renewable fuel markets. As the world’s second-largest producer and exporter of ethanol, Brazil is central to meeting rising global demand for cleaner energy alternatives. Mato Grosso, with its vast agricultural resources, has become a hotspot for ethanol expansion, particularly corn ethanol, which complements the country’s traditional sugarcane-based ethanol industry.
FS has been a pioneer in this shift, becoming one of the largest corn ethanol producers in the country. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and pursuing large-scale projects, the company is not only meeting domestic energy needs but also positioning itself as a key player in international markets that are increasingly prioritizing renewable fuels to meet climate and energy goals.
