Government has issued clarification regarding ethanol production from sugarcane juice/syrup by standalone distilleries.
In a communication to sugar mills/distilleries including standalone distilleries, the Under Secretary to the Government of India, Sunil Kumar Swarnkar, stated “I am directed to refer to the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 as amended vide notification dated 31.5.2021 wherein it was clarified that any standalone distillery proposing to produce ethanol from sugarcane juice by crushing sugarcane in its premises is required to follow the provisions of Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 including maintaining a distance of 15 Km from the neighbouring existing sugar mills or the distance higher than 15 kms fixed by the concerned State Governments.”
“In this context, it is clarified here that distilleries including standalone distilleries are allowed to produce ethanol from sugarcane juice/syrup purchased from sugar mills only (i.e. which are producing sugar from vacuum pan process) for supplying to OMCs under Ethanol Blended with Petrol programme. Distilleries/standalone distilleries are not allowed to procure sugarcane juice/syrup from any jaggery unit to produce ethanol for supplying to OMCs under EBP programme as jaggery units are not covered under the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966,” it further added.
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Ethanol can also be produced through Mathura Latifolia fruit commonly known as Mahua. Trees of Mahua not only provide timbre and fruits which can be converted into Ethanol and Oil Cake rich in Proteins. The foliage is used for feeding cattle. The fruits are known to produce very good quality portable Alcohal. Over sugar cane it has positive environmental foot print.