Ethanol production for Sugarcane

Context:
  • Union Food Ministry has notified decision to allow sugar mills to manufacture ethanol directly from sugarcane juice or an intermediate product called B-molasses.
  • In this regard, Sugarcane Control Order, 1966 has been amended.
  • The move would help mills divert cane juice for ethanol manufacturing during surplus years.
 
Why this decision is important?
  • Sugar mills are incurring losses as prices of sugar have fallen below production cost on account of record output of 32 million tonnes (mt) in 2017-18 season as against annual domestic demand of 25 mt.
  • The production of ethanol directly from sugarcane juice or B-molasses will help to divert this overproduction.
  • Sugar mills are expecting revenue realisation of over Rs 5,000 crore from sale of ethanol to OMCs during the 2017-18 sugar season (October-September).
  • OMCs procure ethanol from sugar mills for blending with petrol.
  • Government has mandated blending of up to 10% ethanol in petrol but inadequate availability has restricted this to under 4%.
  • Higher price for ethanol will incentivise higher ethanol production.

ias4sure.com - Ethanol production for Sugarcane

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top