SG Biofuels, a bioenergy crop company focusing on Jatropha for biofuels, has officially opened operations in Brazil and has named Brazilian entrepreneur and genomics innovator Fernando Reinach as its senior advisor for the market. Reinach will provide strategic planning, business development and executive management support for SG Biofuels Brasil, LTD, the subsidiary that will be based in Sao Paulo.

“We are privileged to add Fernando and his unique combination of entrepreneurial success and industry-leading expertise in breeding and genomics to our effort in Brazil,” said Kirk Haney, president and chief executive officer. “His guidance will be invaluable as we expand our R&D platform and agricultural development efforts in one of the most promising growth markets for Jatropha.”

Prior to accepting this position, Reinach was general partner of Votorantim Ventures, a venture capital fund of the Votorantim Group, one of Brazil’s largest private conglomerates with revenues of U.S. $8 billion. He also serves as a board member of Amyris. He as also worked for two companies now acquired by Monsanto – CanaVialis and Alellyx, both companies in the sugarcane space.

“SG Biofuels’ breeding and biotechnology platform is the right approach to develop Jatropha as a viable feedstock for biofuels in Brazil,” said Reinach. “By improving yields through genomics and regional adaptation, I believe there is a large opportunity to complement Brazil’s global leadership in sugarcane and ethanol with a successful Jatropha industry.”

SG Biofuels is collaborating with a number of partners to develop Jatropha, including Bunge, Flint Hills Resources and Life Technologies Corporation.