Noble’s (NOBG.SI) purchase of two cane mills in Brazil this week, the latest addition to its fast-rising cane processing capacity, reflects its go-it-alone approach that sets it apart from competitors that are partnering with local companies, the group’s CEO said on Thursday.

Asia’s biggest commodities trader has agreed to pay $950 million ($1.24 billion) for two sugar and ethanol facilities owned by Brazilian group Cerradinho.

“Cane operations are extremely important. Brazil has the world’s lowest costs, and demand for energy, sugar is rising in emerging markets as well as for ethanol in the Brazilian market,” Noble’s Chief Executive Ricardo Leiman told Reuters.

Brazil is the world’s top sugar producer and exporter. Cane is also the feedstock for its huge ethanol biofuel production, that it has pioneered as a mainstream fuel that most new cars on its roads can burn.

Several companies that entered the cane sector over the last few years such as Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) and state-run oil company Petrobras (PETR4.SA) have opted to team up with local partners rather than go it alone.

Before closing the deal with Noble, Cerradinho spent four months negotiating with BP (BP.L), which aimed for a 50% share in the Brazilian group.

Experts say that some of Brazil’s cane sector’s unique characteristics, which require both agricultural and industrial know-how, is behind companies’ decision to look for local associations.

But Hong Kong-based Noble, defined by Leiman as “a global supply chain manager,” has adopted a bolder approach.

“We already have around four years of experience (in cane). We’re over the learning curve. We prefer to learn (on our own) and be the big operators even if it takes longer,” Leiman said.

Noble has operations in sectors ranging from coffee and cotton origination to ship management and from coal and iron ore mining to soy processing in several countries. In many cases, its operations are in tandem with partners.