Brazil: Agraria announces R$1.1 billion in modernization and expansion of Guarapuava malting plant

Brazil’s leading maltster Cooperativa Agrária has announced an investment of R$1.1 billion to modernize and expand its industrial unit located in the Entre Rios District, in Guarapuava (PR), Revista Cultural reported on November 11.

The project, which is part of the Atitude 5C strategic cycle, foresees the start of construction in 2025 and completion by 2028, generating more than a thousand jobs during its execution.

The announcement was formalized on November 11th during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Agrária, Ireks do Brasil and the Government of the State of Paraná, at Palácio Iguaçu, in Curitiba. The event was attended by Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Júnior, the State Secretary of Agriculture and Supply, Norberto Ortigara, the CEO of Invest Paraná, Eduardo Bekin, and the Mayor of Guarapuava, Denilson Baitala, among other authorities.

According to Agrária's CEO, Adam Stemmer, the investment reaffirms the cooperative's commitment to innovation and sustainability in the agribusiness sector.

"The application of technology and innovation, with a focus on sustainability, is fundamental for the development of agribusiness. This is the best way to guarantee the continuity of our business and take advantage of market opportunities," he emphasized.

Among the main planned projects is the expansion of the Agrária Malte complex, which will begin producing caramelized and roasted malts, becoming the first malt house in Brazil to manufacture specialty malts on an industrial scale. The first malt production line, in operation since the 1980s, will be revitalized and modernized, incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies to increase automation and reliability in the production process.

“Offering guaranteed quality in products and services is a non-negotiable value for us. The changes in the malting plant reinforce this commitment and will further raise the standard of our production,” said Stemmer.

The project also includes the construction of two new structures: the Laboratory Analysis Center, which will expand quality control services, and the Integrated Logistics Center, designed to improve the movement of raw materials and finished products, as well as reduce urban traffic in the Entre Rios district.