N.Z. has ally in Brazil in liquid fuel search

Press, 5 July 1978, Page 10

N.Z. has ally in Brazil in liquid fuel search

PA Auckland, hew Zealand has found an Important ally in Brazil in the search for alternative l.quid fuels. This is the view of an who has returned from a four-week trip to Brazil. C anada, and the United States. His mam purpose opment Dr Hams said that Brazil was producing 2000 M litres o" ethanol a year, an

amount equivalent to the premium fuel used in New Zealand in 1975. The ethanol was produced from the fermentation of sugar cane which is then blended with petBv 1980, Brazil was confident that it could produce about 4000 M litres of ethanol, and by 1985, hoped that its five million motor vehicles would be running on 100 per cent ethanol. Dr Harris said the Brazilians were willing to exchange ideas of mutual interest in the fuel field, including research projects and other information.

“Brazil is very much like New Zealand. It had little oil and a high inflation rate. Also there is an adverse balance of trade, and an essentially agricultural economy.” he said. Though New Zealand could learn a lot from the projects, it was clear that one country’s solution to the fuel problem did not necessarily work in another. “We have different crops and a different industrial basis. We need to take a different route if we are to get into this area.”