Matrix Comercializadora de Energia – “Matrix Energy Trading” – today entered into an association with Dufenergy S/A, a subsidiary of the Duferco Group, the world’s largest steel trader. It marks the first time that an international trading company has joined forces with a Brazilian energy trader.

Claudio Monteiro and José Amorim, the two main partners in Matrix Energy Trading, have vast experience operating in the free energy market. Both were lead managers at Coomex Energia when that was the largest independent energy trader in Brazil, subsequently sold to the BTG Pactual bank in September of 2010. They then became associates of the bank, responsible for the energy operations desk until January of 2013. The two partners of Matrix Energy Trading are widely recognized in the Brazilian power sector for the innumerable innovations they have pioneered throughout their careers and for the different business models they have introduced in this market.

There is great potential for developing and exploiting the free energy market in Brazil, and this can contribute to expanding the country’s energy supplies. Working together with Dufenergy, the partners and executives of Matrix Energy Trading will offer the energy market new business opportunities. In addition to providing consulting and advice to entrepreneurs, generators and consumers in the sector, the company is ready to undertake highly profitable structured trading operations and to develop products different to those currently available. 

“Our differential lies in our deep knowledge of the free market and of the trading techniques developed over the last 30 years, together with our experience in the financial market,” Monteiro said.

The arrival in Brazil of Dufenergy S/A is strategic, given that company’s great experience of energy trading in Europe. “This is a timely association,” Amorim said, recalling that the European company brings to the table practical experience in a series of relevant corporate policies such as governance, auditing and compliance. 

Benedict Sciortino, CEO of Dufenergy S.A., stated: “For us this is a first step into the dynamic and growing Brazilian market.  We are pleased to join with the experienced team at Matrix and look forward to exploring many diverse opportunities in Brazil.”The Matrix Energy Trading team has experience in energy trading and implementing generation assets, in addition to setting up three large energy trading desks that have negotiated 54 TWh through the last 13 years.

By joining forces with a multinational company like the Duferco Group, the world’s largest steel trader with presence in more than 50 countries and annual billings of US$8 billion, Matrix Energy Trading is adding muscle to develop and participate in projects and operations in the free energy market at a moment when the Brazilian energy matrix faces a scenario of diversification. 

This association is bolstered by the knowhow and expertise of Dufenergy S/A, one of the largest independent energy traders in Europe with 2013 billings exceeding €2 billion. Matrix Energy Trading, a company with a diversified portfolio of operations, services and products that is focused on trading, thus aims to rapidly become one of the largest independent energy traders in Brazil.

In the photo: From left to right, the director Mauricio Cencione, head of Corporate Finance of Duferco; José Amorim and Claudio Monteiro, two main partners in Matrix Energy Trading.