Sugar and ethanol are two completely different products. One is a basic household ingredient added to desserts and other food items to sweeten them and the other one is an ingredient to things like alcohol or biofuel. Sugar is a commodity that will never go off-demand. On the flip side, the demand for ethanol is increasing each day. So, you may or may not be aware of the connection between sugar and ethanol. It is very common these days that you will find sugar companies in India that also have ethanol in their product range. Why is this so? Let’s read more to know.

The actual connection between sugar and ethanol!

Very few people actually know that ethanol is a natural by-product of plant fermentation. There are many ways of producing Ethanol, however, the most common one happens to be during the process of sugar production. Now you will be able to establish the connection between sugar and ethanol. Today, we have top ethanol producing sugar companies in India that are dedicatedly promoting the use of ethanol due to its natural properties. On average, about 10.8 liters of Ethanol can be produced from 1 tonne of sugar. We all know that ethanol basically is a colorless, odorless liquid that has multiple uses.

Uses of Ethanol

Generally, the ethanol produced as a by-product of the sugar manufacturing process has many uses. The most common and well-known, however, remains as a base ingredient in alcohol. Because of its property to easily dissolve in water and other organic compounds, ethanol is used as an ingredient in different products ranging from personal care and beauty products to pints and varnishes to fuel.

How is the manufacturing of Ethanol benefitting the sugar companies in India?

There is no denial to the fact that Ethanol is evidently a game changer for the sugar industry in India. This is a step taken with the aim to enhance India’s energy security. The Ethanol Blending Program, an initiative by Public Sector OMCs estimates that ethanol blending will reach a target of 10%. This has been achieved much ahead of the targeted timelines of November 2022.

This achievement has augmented India’s energy security, translated into a forex effect of over Rs.41,500 crores, reduced GHG emissions of 27 lakh MT and also led to the expeditious charge of over Rs.40,600 crores to farmers. With all the tasks taken by the Government, the EBP Programme is on course to acquire the goal of 20% mixing through 2025-26 with the sugar enterprise spearheading the program.

For Manufacturing fuel grade ethanol, the Government of India is likewise encouraging distilleries to produce ethanol from maize & rice to be had with FCI. The existing installed ethanol distilleries have reached around 700 crore liters and are probable to reach more than 1,200 crore liters for 20% blending by means of 2025-26.

What are the benefits of Ethanol?

There are many benefits of Ethanol from the top sugar companies in India and further, use it as a biofuel. Some of these are listed below –

●        Being a by-product of a product that is produced in large quantities, it generally is very cost-effective. Moreover, every country in the world has the potential to produce it.

●        It is highly ecologically effective, unlike other fuels and sources of energy; ethanol does not have a harmful impact on the environment.

●        Since it is an environment-friendly fuel, it contributes to reducing global warming.

●        The best part about opting for this fuel is that it is easily accessible in all countries.

●        Minimizes dependence on fossil fuels

●        It is known as a renewable energy source that can be created easily.

The other uses of ethanol fuel can be listed further.