4 Minutes With…Manoel Carnauba, COO, GranBio

It’s been the most amazing month for GranBio, highlighted by the official opening of the world’s largest cellulosic biofuels refinery, in Alagoas, Brazil. The venture has moved so fast that even industry insiders have had little time to get to know the technologists and executives bringing this venture to life. Here, we’re delighted to be able to share some of the story of Manoel Carnauba, GranBio’s COO — the leader in charge of plant operations,  competitiveness and supply chain development.

Tell us about your organization and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

GranBio is a Biotech company based is Brazil and USA. We’re now starting up the first 2G ethanol plant in Latin American, using sugar cane straw as raw material. Using ours pilot plants we’re able to develop biomass to product processes.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

I’m GranBio’s COO and my priorities for the next 12 months are: enhance our 2G ethanol plant operation and competitiveness, make our supply chain more competitive and contribute to GranBio’s new projects and developments.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?

Becoming a competitive industry.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change?

The political instability.

Where are you from? 

Brazil.

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway? 

I’m a Chemical Engineer and I went to college at UFBA, in Bahia Brazil, because I wanted to work with petrochemicals process.

Who do you consider your mentors? What have you learned from them?

Bernardo Gradin, because he taught me how to become an entrepreneur.

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?

Be persistent

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry? 

I like running and to read.

What are 3 books you’d want to have with you, if you were stranded on a desert island?

The Price
The Traveler – Marco Polo
The Third Wave

What books or articles are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?

The Quest – Daniel Yergin

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?

New York