Sugar Industry needs to convert itself as “SMART SUGAR INDUSTRY” as per Vision 2030, said Prof. Narendra Mohan, Director, during the second day of three days “Executive Development Programme” being organized at NSI, Kanpur.
The industry thus has to develop “Smart Cane”, “Smart environment friendly Manufacturing Processes for producing variety of sugars”, “Smart Distilleries working on molasses and other feed stocks” and also developing “Smart technologies for effluent treatment so as to have surplus water as bio-water “ with conversion of the factories as “Zero Fresh Water Consumption (ZFC)” factories. Only by doing so, the sugar industry shall be globally competitive and economically sustainable added Prof. Mohan.
Dr. Anubha Goel, Associate Professor, IIT, Kanpur while delivering a talk on “Waste to Energy Conversion and Environmental benefits” informed that the country produces about 62 million tonnes of waste per annum out of which about 8 million tonnes under the category of hazardous waste. She emphasized upon Reducing the Volume of Waste & Saving Space in the Landfill while Generating Clean, Renewable Energy. By applying innovative technologies, such waste stored in 100 cubic yards can be used for generating 13,000 kWH of electricity besides reducing the land requirements for disposal of waste by 90%. She suggested use of environment friendly and more energy efficient technologies for burning of bagasse and trash in sugar factories.
Mr. Agha Asif Beig, Assistant Executive Director, M/s Dalmia Bharat Sugars Ltd., advocated use of Information & Communication Technology for efficient cane management and harvesting the sugarcane at its optimum maturity so as to have a win-win situation for both millers and farmers. He further suggested that during early part of crushing season, the sugar recovery always remains lower but the farmers harvest their cane for timely wheat sowing and hence during early start of the crushing the price of cane should be fixed Rs. 20/- per quintal lesser, while in the month of April when the harvesting charges are higher the cane price should be Rs. 20/- higher.
Dr. Vishnu Prabhakar Srivastava, Assistant Prof. Organic Chemistry, NSI, Kanpur explained the process for producing various value added products utilizing bagasse, a by product of the industry. He stressed upon production of “Graphene Oxide” a nano material which has been successfully produced by the institute and currently being traded @ US$ 200 per gm in the International market. He further stressed upon producing other sugar alcohols (low calorie sweeteners) and surfactants from bagasse which can bring about a sea change in the financial situation of the factory. On this occasion, Prof. D Swain explained the relative economics of production of ethanol through various feed stocks. He suggested with the current rates of sugar and even up to a sugar price of Rs. 36 per kg, it is advantageous to produce ethanol from B Heavy molasses rather than producing sugar. This will help in energy security, preventing drain of foreign exchange and also providing green fuel, he added.
Yes, this is the vision sweet people must work on it to make the Sugar Industry become a Complex Industry in true sense for better sustainability,,,,,,,,,,,,and India is capable for such upbringing,,,,,,