Pune: In the state, both cooperative and private sugar factories have shifted their focus toward ethanol production projects. Ethanol production is yielding higher returns compared to sugar production. Currently, there are 163 ethanol production projects underway in the state, reports Esakal.
Across all these projects, approximately 244 crore liters of ethanol are being produced annually. This shift has made it evident that the state’s sugar industry is now geared toward fuel production.
In the past two years, ethanol production has increased by 18 crore liters compared to the previous production year. Two years ago, the state produced 226 crore liters of ethanol. This year, the production has reached 244 crore liters. This upward trend in ethanol production is expected to continue even in the current fiscal year.
Amidst the recent sugarcane shortage, all sugar mills have collectively diverted around 16 lakh tons of sugarcane towards ethanol production in the current crushing season. This transition to ethanol production has proven to be successful in terms of profitability.
Previously, most sugar factories solely focused on producing sugar. However, now they have diversified their product range to include electricity, molasses, ethanol, biogas, and approximately 35 other by-products. This transformation has been highlighted by the Sugar Commissionerate.
Following soybean, sugarcane has become the third-largest crop in the state. The ranking of sugar factories has led to the creation of an enriching environment for sugarcane farmers. Ethanol is mixed with gasoline after which it becomes gasoline. It is anticipated that the consumption of gasoline is likely to increase in the next four to five years.
