Brazil Will Have First Vital Gluten Industry

The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) approved financing of R$290.2 million for the installation of Brazil's first vital gluten factory, to be implemented by Be8 in Passo Fundo (RS), through the BNDES Mais Inovação Program. Currently, the entire domestic consumption depends on imports, which reached 22.1 thousand tons in 2024, according to Abitrigo. "This project is aligned with the New Brazil Industry objectives of encouraging innovation, adding value to national production, and reducing historical bottlenecks. With this pioneering plant financed by the Bank, Brazil stops being 100% dependent on vital gluten imports and moves to occupy a new strategic space in the wheat chain," highlighted BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante. Extracted from wheat flour, vital gluten is used to improve bakery flour quality and is present in medicines and personal hygiene products. The new plant will process 525,000 tons of cereals per year, fostering local wheat production — ...