Fernanda Palmeira Gabetto; Sarah Tenelli; Julia Barra Netto-Ferreira; Joaquim Martins Junior; Octávio Augusto Costa Almeida; Marcela Cosenza Lamas; Mathias Strauss; João Luis Nunes Carvalho
A delegation (Brazil Bioenergy International Summer School) from China Agricultural University (CAU) visited the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) on Tuesday, July 29th, 2025, to advance Sino-Brazilian collaboration in bioenergy research. Led by biomass conversion experts Prof. Dr. Zhidan Liu and Prof. Dr. Xiao Zhao, the team included graduate students specializing in the field. The visit featured technical exchanges, lab tours, and strategic discussions aimed at fostering joint innovation and
student mobility.
International Office (DERI) of UNICAMP warmly welcomed the CAU delegation. Prof. Dr. Luana Mattos (Advisor for International Affairs) opened the institutional meeting by showcasing the interdisciplinary development of UNICAMP. Prof. Dr. Rafael Vasconcelos Ribeiro (Institute of Biology) introduced Bioenergy PhD program (UNICAMP/USP/UNESP), highlighting cross-institutional training opportunities within BRICS nations. The UNICAMP team gathered with the key theme of bioenergy – spanning genetic engineering of bioenergy crops, efficient cultivation methods, biofuel extraction and purification technologies, downstream valorization pathways, as well as supportive policy frameworks and talent development mechanisms in Brazil. This comprehensive full-chain perspective underscored Brazil’s leadership in sustainable energy innovation.
At the School of Agricultural Engineering (FEAGRI), Prof. Dr. Bárbara Janet Teruel Mederos (Representative of Dean of FEAGRI) deepened this narrative with demonstrations of cutting-edge projects and laboratory facilities. Later, the Interdisciplinary Center for Energy Planning (NIPE) hosted a session featuring the Paulista Center for Studies in Biogas and Bioproducts (CP2B), where Prof. Dr. Bruna de Souza Moraes (Research Director of NIPE) and Prof. Dr. Marcelo Cunha detailed Brazil’s advances in integrated energy systems.
Throughout intensive discussions, researchers and students forged connections across bioenergy frontiers. The CAU delegation departed with enriched perspectives, having gained invaluable insights into bioenergy landscape of Brazil. While they also deeply appreciated vibrant campus culture and inspiring research ecosystem in UNICAMP. Both institutions committed to transforming this synergy into concrete outcomes: further research breakthroughs and leaders for a sustainable world. CAU team warmly invited UNICAMP scholars to reciprocate the visit, emphasizing three shared ambitions: strengthening China-Brazil research partnerships in bioenergy technology; establishing graduate student exchanges to cultivate next-generation scientists; and elevating BRICS and Global South leadership in sustainable innovation.
Special Acknowledgments
CAU expressed gratitude to Prof. Rubens Maciel Filho (Chemical Engineering) for initiating this exchange despite his absence due to international commitments, and to Prof. Ana Elisa Spaolonzi (Confucius Institute) for her insights on educational bridges.
PROGRAMAÇÃO
Manhã – 8h30 às 12h00
8h30 – 9h00 – Abertura
9h00 – 9h20: Coleções bacterianas para produção de polihidroxialcanoatos (S2B – J. Gregório C. Gomez)
9h20 – 9h40 : Oportunidades para produção de polihidroxialcanoatos no Brasil (Bioreset – Fernando Piovesana).
9h40 – 10h00 – Demanda por bioplásticos na indústria de cosméticos (Boticário – Francielle Saorin).
10h00-10h20 – Bioplásticos BASF (BASF – Thiago B. Spedo)
10h20 – 11h20 – Roda de conversas.
11h20 – 12h20 – Visita ao S2B – INOVA – USP.
Tarde – 14h00 às 17h00
14h00 – 14h20 – Produção de ácido polilático (PLA) no Brasil (ERT Bioplásticos)
14h20 – 14h40 – Polietileno verde – desafios e oportunidades (Braskem – Alex R. C. Duarte)
14h40 – 15h00 – PDC um substituto ao ácido tereftálico? (S2B – Igor Cesarino).
15h00 – 15h20 – Oportunidades para PETase (S2B – Flávia V. Winck).
15h20 – 15h40 – Palestra aguardando confirmação
15h40 – 16h40 – Roda de conversas.
16h40 – 17h00 – Encerramento.
Important information:
- The student must be a member of SBE and present his(er) work at the event.
- The amount of resources allocated to support students is limited, and requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The student must register for the event and contact SBE (sbe.bioenergy@gmail.com), attaching a copy of his(er) work and proof of enrollment in an Undergrad or Graduate Program.
- Supported students will receive a voucher to be used in the event’s registration system.
- SBE support is exclusively for the registration until July 31, 2024 (early registration).
We look forward to seeing you soon and wish you success in your bioenergy endeavors.
Sincerely,
Rafael V. Ribeiro
President of SBE
