The country has achieved average blending of 13.80% till September of the current ethanol supply year 2023-24 as against the earlier projected figures of 15% blending. The major deterrent has be discontinuation of diversion of intermediate feed stocks from the sugar industry and pause on supplies of sound rice from FCI for ethanol production. The blending @ 13.80% became possible because of maize, as out of 585.2 crore liters of ethanol blended in petrol, contribution of maize based ethanol is about 40% and grains, in totality, accounting for approx. 57% ethanol blending. So, the blending per centage from sugar industry based feed stocks & grains which was earlier considered as 55:45 got reversed, said Prof. Narendra Mohan, Ex-Director, National Sugar Institute, Kanpur.
For the next ethanol supply year 2024-25, looking to the quantities of ethanol required to the extent of 916 crore liters by OMC’s vide cycle-1, about 60% is supposed to come through grain route, wherein, again maize is considered as potential feed stock for delivering about 50% of the total ethanol requirement. So, while ensuring diversion of about 45 LMT of sugar through juice/syrup and B Heavy molasses route, grains to play a role for making EBP 20 a success.
As regards grains, while the distillers are finding procurement of FCI rice a bit difficult because of higher rates while participating in tenders and issues related to allotment of depots, problems have also cropped up with maize because of escalating prices and distillers, at time, face issues of system viability and thus look for ethanol price revision.
While for the present grain based distillers may need policy support with respect to prices but desired escalation may not be possible always. Therefore, brainstorming is also required as how the distillers can reduce the cost of production by achieving the highest possible fermentation, distillation and de-hydration efficiencies with lower inputs, particularly, steam and power. Side by side, since maize is gaining momentum as feed stock for ethanol production, one has to look for recovery of corn oil and producing 1.5G ethanol by making use of available fibre to generated additional revenue streams and to make system viable. In general for the grain based ethanol industry too, it is important to look for diversified value added products from by-products & waste as has been done by the Indian Sugar Industry. For the distillers, institutes and technology providers, it may be a food for thought, said Prof. Mohan.
Our approach should be cautious in capacity building which should commensurate with the availability of the feed stocks at affordable prices. Further, we should not forget that “Food vs Fuel” conflict may always invite issues with grains at any time and thus development of “Non Food Feed Stocks” for ethanol production assumes highest priority, he said.
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