Print version ISSN 0103-4014 MACEDO, Isaias C.. The current
situation and prospects for ethanol. Estud. av. [online]. 2007,
vol.21, n.59, pp. 157-165. ISSN 0103-4014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-40142007000100012. In the last
30 years, the production of ethanol from sugar cane in Brazil
reached 17 million cubic meters and it is expected to achieve
35.7 million cubic meters by 2012-2013. This growth has taken
place due to great technological support by means of production,
imports, adaptations and internal transferences. An analysis of
the different phases of this development, with the evolution of
its technological parameters and the great competition of the
sector, is presented in the article. Nowadays, foresights state
that the sector may keep evolving with continuous improvements,
but sudden technological boosts are also possible through the
development of technologies directed towards a better use of the
residual biomass of sugar cane (which represents about two
thirds of the total biomass). Studies i