Brazilian businessman Erasmo Carlos Battistella, president of ECB Group, made the announcement of the companies that will support the project in an event with high-level audience, including the President of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, government authorities, foreigners diplomats, bank executives and logistics operators in the country.
Launched in February, Omega Green Project represents the largest private investment in Paraguay's history and aims to build the first advanced biofuel plant in the Southern Hemisphere.
The complex will be located in the city of Villeta, about 45 km from Asunción, on a land acquired by ECB Group.
The company will produce renewable diesel (HVO - Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and renewable aviation kerosene (SPK - Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene), fuels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will be exported to Paris Agreement signatory countries, such as the US, Canada and members of the European Union.
Representatives of Omega Green suppliers participated in the presentation of ECB Group.
The global banks Barclays and UBS will be the financial structurers of the project.
They were chosen for their international presence and extensive experience in financing large multinational projects.
Marco de Carvalho, Barclays Brazil CEO and Head of M&A LatAm, and Enrique Vivot, Head of Southern Region at UBS, have attended the event.
The total investment will reach U$ 800 million and it is estimated that Omega Green will impact Paraguay's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with an addiction of U$ 8,000 million in 10 years.
Among the suppliers chosen to support the project is Honeywell UOP, with a renewable fuel refining technology called UOP Renewable Jet Fuel Process™, and Crown Iron Works, an American company with business in Latin America, which will provide technology for the treatment of Vegetable oils and non-edible animal fats for the production of advanced biofuels.
José Fernandes, Honeywell vice-president for Latin America, and Marcos Felipe, Crown Brazil manager, has represented their companies at the presentation. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.