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Grupo Potencial will invest R$100 million in the New Glycerin Factory in Curitiba, increasing production to 100 thousand tons annually.
O Potential Group is taking a significant step in its expansion with the construction of a new glycerin refining plant in Lapa, located in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba. The planned investment for this project is around R$100 million. Scheduled to open in 2026, the new factory should have the capacity to produce up to 50 thousand tons of refined glycerin per year. When integrated with the company's current capacity, which is approximately 45 thousand tons per year, total production will reach almost 100 thousand tons per year.
Expansion of production capacity
Currently, Grupo Potencial is responsible for almost 40% of glycerin production in Brazil, a market where the annual total reaches 120 thousand tons.
With the investment in the new factory, the company aims to increase its refining capacity and strengthen its position in the national and international market.
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The expansion will not only allow the group to meet growing demand, but also position the company as one of the main producers and exporters of refined glycerin in Brazil.
Refined glycerin, obtained from biodiesel production, is a valuable byproduct with several industrial applications.
Unlike “crude” or “blonde” glycerin, largely sold abroad and refined in China, Grupo Potencial refines this product in Brazil.
The refining process achieves a high degree of purity, close to 100%, allowing the use of glycerin in different sectors.
Quality and applications of refined glycerin
According to Robson Rodrigues Antunes, general manager of quality and operations at Grupo Potencial, refined glycerin has a wide spectrum of application, covering the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and textile industries.
To guarantee product quality, the company adopts strict purity standards, following the Pharmacopoeias of the United States and Europe.
The refined glycerin produced by Grupo Potencial is a viscous, transparent, odorless liquid with a naturally sweet taste.
Among the applications of refined glycerin are its use in factories for the production of capsules, anesthetics, ointments, antibiotics, syrups, candies, cakes, resins, cosmetics and products that improve the flexibility of textile fibers.
A company stands out for the quality of its product, which meets the standards required for different markets, expanding its possibilities of use and commercialization.
Impact of the factory on the export market
The Potencial Group exports approximately 90% of its refined glycerin production to the market external.
With this, the company contributes significantly to Brazilian exports, representing around 35% of total exports in the country.
Caique Tossulino, commercial and operations director at BWI, a trading company belonging to the Potencial group, highlights that the strategic location of the plant, approximately 150 kilometers from the Port of Paranaguá, offers an important logistical advantage.
The proximity to the port reduces export costs, providing a more competitive price compared to factories located in other regions of Brazil.
Currently, Grupo Potencial's refined glycerin is exported to more than 20 countries, highlighting the company's global reach and its ability to serve a diverse international market.
Perspectives for the future of the factory
The new factory of Grupo Potencial will not only expand production capacity and improve the company's competitiveness in the global market, but will also be able to generate new jobs and encourage economic development in the Curitiba region.
With operations expected to begin in 2026, the plant represents a strategic investment in innovation and sustainable growth.
The expansion of production and the improvement of refining processes are clear signs of the company's commitment to excellence and to contributing to the advancement of the chemical industry and Brazilian exports.
The project reflects Grupo Potencial's vision of leading in the refined glycerin sector and consolidating its presence as an important global player.
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