With the demand for sugar-based ethanol fuel soaring, the world’s largest grower and processor of sugarcane — Brazil-based Cosan — has inked a deal with GE Transportation for 50 new freight locomotives. The deal marks a win for GE’s growing presence in the critically important country — and it underscores how open markets continue to benefit North America in terms of jobs and new business as the engines will be made at GE’s Grove City, Pennsylvania plant and the locomotives will be built by GE Transportation South America, our affiliate plant in Contagem, Brazil.

In 2009, sugar output in Brazil's Center South, the world's biggest-producing area, more than doubled versus last year, according to the region's sugar association. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images.
How sweet it is! In 2009, sugar output in Brazil’s Center South, the world’s biggest-producing area, more than doubled versus last year, according to the region’s sugar association. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images.

Delivery of the 50 new AC44i models — which are AC heavy-haul, diesel-electric locomotives for freight transport — will start in 2010. Cosan, which is one of the largest ethanol producers in the world, will use the new locomotives to haul sugar from its processing plants to port on the rail infrastructure provided by its partner, America Latina Logistica.

The locomotives feature GE’s unique traction-control technology that enables them to haul heavier loads by significantly reducing slippage on start-ups, inclines and poor track conditions. They’re also equipped with advanced braking systems that provide smoother handling when hauling heavier loads.

GE Transportation South America has built diesel electric locomotives in Brazil since 1967 — and has produced more than 1,000 locomotives that are operating in more than 15 countries around the world. Approximately 17,000 GE locomotives are in use in more than 50 countries around the world.

* Read today’s announcement
* Read about GE Aviation’s recent deal with Brazil’s Azul airline

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