TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA — Ag Growth International Inc. (AGI) provided a turnkey solution for the Maltaria Campos Gerais (MCG) barley malting plant and recently joined the cooperative partners in celebrating its commissioning in Ponta Grossa, Brazil.

The greenfield facility capable of producing 240,000 tonnes of brewer’s malt per year is a partnership of Cooperativa Agrária Agroindustrial (Agrária) and cooperatives Bom Jesus, Capal, Castrolanda, Coopagrícola, and Frísia.

MCG is strategically located in an agricultural region known for grain production and conducive to the cultivation of barley. Malted barley is the main source for fermentable sugars used by yeasts in the traditional brewing of beer.

“AGI had the privilege of being on-site for the inauguration of this state-of-the-art malt production facility to the industry and local community,” said Paul Householder, president and chief executive officer of AGI, who attended the event. “Our pride stems from AGI’s contribution in supplying the grain handling and storage system to this massive MCG plant. This facility plays a crucial socio-economic role within the region and broader value chain.”

Agrária and its cooperative partners said the facility investment will provide farm-to-market benefits for the region by building demand for locally grown barley, expanding markets for malted barley, fostering local jobs, and leveraging the relationships forged with two of the biggest players in the national beer market.

AGI provided a turnkey solution with customized grain storage, material handling and conveying equipment, including 52 chain conveyors, 19 bucket elevators, 14 AGI Hi Roller enclosed belt conveyors, 13 bulk flows, 26 screw conveyors, 18 square hopper bins, and two hopper bins including full engineering, installation and commissioning.

MCG can store 90,000 tonnes of barley and 80,000 tonnes of malt.

The project began in 2022 with design and engineering followed by two years of installation and assembly. The facility, which completed construction in March, was commissioned June 6 during a special event attended by the cooperative partners, suppliers, and federal, state and local authorities.