A senior official from the Food Ministry stated on Wednesday that the government has granted permission to sugar mills to utilize 6.7 lakh tonnes of B heavy molasses for ethanol production during the current year. This decision comes in light of sugar mills having excess stocks of B-heavy molasses produced before the ban on its use on December 7 last year.
Subsequently, the ban was reversed by the government a week later, allowing the use of cane juice and B-heavy molasses, within the overall cap of diverting 17 lakh tonnes of sugar for ethanol production for the 2023-24 ethanol supply year (ESY)
“We have permitted sugar mills to utilize B-heavy molasses held by them for ethanol production. This directive has been communicated to the Petroleum Ministry,” the official informed PTI.
He further explained that this allowance for using B-heavy molasses is in addition to the capped diversion of 17 lakh tonnes of sugar for ethanol production for the 2023-24 ESY.
Presently, sugar mills reportedly hold a stock of 6.7 lakh tonnes of B-heavy molasses as per information from the state cane commissioners.
