KAEFER Teckma executes three FS Bioenergia projects in Mato Grosso; Brazil’s first BECCS system with net-negative footprint.
Three sites. One client. One mission. - KAEFER SE & Co. KG
In the heart of Mato Grosso, Brazil, where vast corn and soy fields stretch as far as the eye can see, KAEFER Teckma is deeply involved in three major projects for FS Bioenergia. Spread across different locations but united by one client, these projects reflect a partnership built over more than ten years.
FS Bioenergia is a leading force in Brazil’s renewable energy sector, producing ethanol from corn and sugarcane, as well as other bio-products and electricity from biomass. Their corn ethanol plant in Lucas do Rio Verde, inaugurated in 2017, was the first of its kind in Brazil, marking a significant milestone in sustainable energy production.
To date, KAEFER Teckma has completed seven projects with FS Bioenergia, ranging from new builds and expansions to maintenance work. The fact that projects were consistently delivered and shared goals were established meant that a strong relationship of trust was formed between the parties.
This led to three new contracts being awarded in 2026, which are running nearly simultaneously: Campo Novo do Parecis, Lucas do Rio Verde and Querência. All of these projects are located in Mato Grosso, the third biggest Brazilian state, which is almost three times the size of Germany. Interestingly, the entire state of Mato Grosso has only 4% of Germany’s population.
Site 1: Reliability through teamwork in Campo Novo do Parecis
At the Campo Novo do Parecis site, Eduardo Sabino, known simply as Sabino, leads a team of 400 people. Sabino especially recalls the intense nights spent replanning everything from scratch, when a critical turbine delivery was delayed, threatening the plant’s start-up schedule. “What stayed with me most, was seeing the team come together, everyone pulling in the same direction without ever compromising safety. We completed that stage on time and without a single incident.”
This moment encapsulates the relationship between KAEFER Teckma and FS Bioenergia: a shared commitment to safety, quality, and teamwork in challenging circumstances. Sabino, KAEFER’s contract manager who is now leading his third project with FS Bioenergia, highlights the human aspect behind the figures. “Behind those 400 people are 400 individual stories. These are people who have left their hometowns, their families and their familiar surroundings to make this project a reality.”
Site 2: Innovation at Lucas do Rio Verde
At nearly the same time, KAEFER Teckma is involved in a pioneering project at the Lucas do Rio Verde site: Brazil’s first Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) system. This technology captures the CO₂ released during the fermentation of ethanol and stores it deep underground. This could make FS Bioenergia the world’s first ethanol producer with a net-negative carbon footprint.
Diogo De Moraes, KAEFER Contract Manager for the BECCS project, leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for the entire electromechanical construction, including equipment installation, structural steelwork, piping, electrical systems and instrumentation. “Seeing the precision and coordination between the engineering, rigging and safety teams during the installation of a 90-tonne compression skid was a defining moment,” says Diogo. “It showed the spirit of this project in action.”
The daily routine here is as intense as it is collaborative. Teams meet early to align on the day’s tasks, ensuring everyone understands the scope and safety requirements. ‘The trust between our team, site supervision and FS enables us to overcome challenges as they arise,’ Diogo explains.
Site 3: Expanding the footprint from Campo Novo do Parecis to Querência
In Campo Novo do Parecis, Sabino’s team is carrying out specialised electromechanical installations, including special-alloy steel welding and advanced electrical systems. All of this work must be completed within a demanding timeframe of 12 months. Once work in Campo Novo do Parecis is finished, with only minor tasks remaining, work will begin in Querência. This will involve nearly everyone from Sabino’s team moving there to undertake the electromechanical installation of another new corn ethanol plant, including equipment installation and commissioning. This is a perfect opportunity to provide the crew with continuity of employment and, at the same time, to benefit from a team that knows each other well.
Although both located in the state of Mato Grosso, the cities are nearly 1,000 km away from each other. To ensure a smooth mobilisation, an additional contract manager has been onboarded and is already at the place to prepare everything for when the team arrives.
The human side of the journey
Many workers travel long distances, sometimes spending days on a bus, before arriving on the jobsites. For the local workforce, these projects often present a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity, but they must make a tough decision: travelling thousands of kilometres, being away from family and friends for a long time. Their commitment is matched by the company’s responsibility to provide safe working conditions, respect and opportunities for growth. Sabino reflects on this reality: “When I see the team delivering quality and safety, knowing what each person has sacrificed, I feel a deep sense of responsibility. Every new contract is a way to honour their commitment.”
What stands out most to him is the team’s attitude. “People arrive every day ready to work with the same enthusiasm as on their first day. That says a lot about the people on our very diverse team, which includes engineers, welders, electricians, planners and safety professionals. It doesn’t matter if they are men or women, or if they are experienced or new joiners. They are all in this project together as one team, relying on each other!”
When asked about the biggest challenge, both Sabino and Diogo agree that it is not the engineering itself, but rather the integration of thousands of simultaneous activities across multiple disciplines. A delay or change in one area affects many others.
KAEFER Teckma manages this complexity through detailed planning, field engineering and proven methodologies such as LEAN Construction and the Last Planner System. However, it is KAEFER Teckma’s decade-long experience with FS Bioenergia that makes the real difference. “We understand how the client thinks and what decisions need to be made quickly,” says Sabino. This shared understanding transformed a delayed turbine into a resolved issue rather than a missed deadline.
The final goal: building a sustainable future for the country and its people
When these three projects conclude, their tangible impact will be clear: tonnes of steel will have been erected, kilometres of piping installed, and equipment commissioned. At Lucas do Rio Verde, permanently storing over 423,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year will be a significant step in the energy transition.
For Diogo, this gives his work meaning. ‘Our team is contributing to developments that will shape the future of Brazil’s energy industry.’
For Sabino, success is always personal. ‘Behind those 400 people are 400 individual stories. That is what I think about.”
This deep connection and shared commitment is what makes FS Bioenergia not just a client, but a true partner in building a sustainable future. Ultimately, it’s about us counting on them and them counting on us!
Note: Written by humans – with a little help from GenAI. This article combines human understanding and intelligent digital tools to bring KAEFER stories to life.
Three sites. One client. One mission.
05.08.2026 - In the heart of Brazil’s Mato Grosso, KAEFER Teckma is delivering three major projects for FS Bioenergia - a story about long-term partnership and building a sustainable future together.
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