Make Ethanol from Sugar

Pune: the Maharashtra sugar industry requested permission from the central government to convert the surplus sugar back into ethanol. The central government has decided to discourage excess production of sugar and instead promote ethanol made from sugarcane.
"From now on, we will not be able to make any policy decision to help deal with excess sugar production. But now we have a market for ethanol that is Rs 11,000 crore, "said Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari, speaking at the Sugar 20-20 Conference organized by the State Cooperating Bank of Maharashtra, the main lender of the state's sugar industry.
"The ethanol market will grow to 50 billion rupiah in the next two years and could grow up to 2 lakhs," he said. India is starting a record stock of closing sugar in the 2018-19 seasons.
Ravi Gupta, president (corporate) Renuka Sugars said: "The distilleries in the state will not be able to use their capacities during the next grinding season, since the availability of molasses will be lower due to the drought. There we need permission to make ethanol from sugar. "
Of the 83 million liters of the ethanol purchase quota granted to Maharashtra, the industry has signed contracts for the supply of 69 million liters. Of the contracted volume, 35 liters crore were for supply within the state and 34 liters crore for out of state.
The central government has already increased the rate of ethanol acquired by oil companies for its blending program.
Gadkari said there will be no problem for the ethanol market in India for the next 10 years. TVS and Bajaj have been asked to produce two wheels that run 100% on ethanol. "They will give me the demonstration on July 12. We want every sugar mill that produces ethanol to install its own ethanol pump," Gadkari said.
The Minister, who is also responsible for the Ministry of Medium and Small Industries, said he is working to establish a policy to reactivate closed and diseased sugar mills such as ethanol plants.
By: Preeti Narula
Content: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/maharashtras-sugar-industry-seeks-permission-to-make-ethanol-from-sugar/articleshow/70124955.cms