Cosan: The Making of a Global Leader

This case analyses the internationalization process of Cosan, the Brazilian leader in the ethanol industry. It analyses Cosan's international development and its approach to global growth through joint ventures and acquisitions. The company, the world's first vertically integrated maker of ethanol, faces a number of challenges to maintain its leadership in a sector which has become very attractive to global giants like Shell or ExxonMobil.

The case provides a unique perspective on the following issues: 1) Evaluation of an internationalization strategy with a focus on the sugar/ethanol industry and, in particular, of a small family business in the agricultural sector. 2) Cosan's model for building a global company. 3) How to survive and expand internationally through acquisitions and joint ventures. 4) Analysis of the sugar/ethanol industry in Brazil.