India is on a mission to become a global leader in clean energy, and ethanol is playing a huge part in that journey. Ethanol, a biofuel produced from sugarcane, corn, and other plant materials, is helping India cut down on its oil imports and reduce pollution. Did you know that India aims to blend 20% ethanol with petrol by 2025? This is a big step toward energy independence and is already creating a buzz in the energy sector. Along with wind energy companies, ethanol is contributing to India’s growing clean energy landscape, signaling a promising future for renewable energy.
In recent years, the government has been actively supporting ethanol production, with the ethanol blending percentage increasing from just 1.53% in 2013-14 to over 10% by 2023. This growth has attracted many companies to invest in ethanol manufacturing, fueling new business Ideas and innovation.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 ethanol manufacturing companies in India leading the charge in sustainable energy. Whether you’re curious about clean energy trends or want to learn which companies are shaping India’s ethanol industry, read on to discover the frontrunners in this green revolution!
Ethanol Manufacturing sector in India
Rising Demand and Government Support: The Indian government’s National Biofuel Policy aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025, encouraging rapid growth and investment in ethanol production across the country.
Reduced Dependency on Oil Imports: By increasing ethanol blending, India aims to reduce its dependency on costly crude oil imports, saving foreign exchange and enhancing energy security.
Environmental Benefits: Ethanol is a cleaner fuel alternative that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping India meet its climate goals and reduce air pollution in urban areas.
Growing Agricultural Opportunities: Ethanol production primarily uses sugarcane and corn, providing farmers with new revenue streams and supporting rural economies.
Top Players and Technological Advancements: Leading companies in India’s ethanol sector are adopting advanced technologies to improve production efficiency and sustainability, positioning India as a potential global leader in biofuels.
How do ethanol manufacturing companies in India work
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Raw Material Sourcing: Ethanol manufacturing companies in India primarily use agricultural products like sugarcane, corn, and sometimes other biomass as raw materials, creating a steady demand for these crops and supporting farmers.
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Fermentation Process: The raw materials undergo fermentation, a process where microorganisms like yeast convert sugars into ethanol. This step is crucial, as it determines the purity and quality of ethanol produced.
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Distillation and Purification: After fermentation, the ethanol is separated from the by-products and impurities through distillation. Advanced purification methods are then used to achieve the desired ethanol concentration, ensuring high-quality fuel production.
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Blending and Distribution: Once purified, the ethanol is blended with petrol to create ethanol-blended fuel. This blended fuel is then distributed to oil companies and fuel stations for public use, helping reduce pollution and fuel costs.
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Waste Management and Sustainability: Many companies focus on sustainable practices by recycling waste products from the production process and converting them into by-products like animal feed or fertilizer, thus minimizing environmental impact.
Top 10 Ethanol Manufacturing Companies in India
1. EID Parry
It is a member of the Murugappa Group, the biggest producer of sugar in south India, with headquarters in Chennai. It has been in existence for more than 235 years, having been founded in 1788. In 1842, the business established the first sugar plant in India at Nellikuppam.
The business produces bioproducts and sugar. Organic spirulina, sanitizer, natural astaxanthin, pharmaceutical-grade sugar, jaggery, and refined sugar are now included in the portfolio. Additionally, it features a sugarcane and tissue culture research and development center dedicated to creating new and enhanced sugar cane varieties. The seven sugar plants owned by the firm are dispersed throughout southern India. These facilities can crush 40,300 TCD of sugarcane, generate 140 MW of electricity, and produce 598 KLPD of distillation.
Dalmia Bharat Sugar
It can produce 250 KLPD (kiloliters per day) of ethanol. This is blended with gasoline. It is offered to oil marketing corporations through a tender mechanism. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum all purchase ethanol from the company.
The company’s ability to produce ethanol using grain as a feedstock was raised from 110 to 250 KLPD in FY24. This was a calculated action to protect the business from becoming overly reliant on molasses. Over the years, the corporation has invested heavily in its factories to increase their capacity to produce ethanol. With the completion of these developments, the firm is currently among India’s biggest producers of ethanol.
Balrampur Chini Mills
The corporation currently operates in three segments: distillery, sugar, and other. In Uttar Pradesh, it operates ten sugar mills with a combined capacity of 175.7 MW for cogeneration, 1,050 KLPD for distillation, and 80,000 tonnes of cane crushing per day. A sustainable manufacturing cycle is ensured by the company’s own biogas infrastructure.
The company has put four distilleries with a 560 KLPD production capacity into operation in Balrampur, Babhnan, Mankapur, and Gularia to produce ethanol. The majority of the distillery’s capacity is devoted to producing ethanol for mixing with gasoline. Oil marketing businesses receive this.
Dhampur Sugar Mills
The business has been operating for just over nine decades. It has become one of the key participants in India’s sugar industry throughout time. It can produce a significant amount of ethanol. It has a distillery capacity of 350 KLPD and a cane crushing capacity of 24,000 tonnes per day at the end of FY24. At the beginning of FY24, it increased the distillery’s capacity by 100 KLPD.
5.5 MW of the company’s 126.5 MW cogeneration capacity was put into service in FY24. Additionally, it produces 14,000 cases of drinkable spirits and 140 MT of ethyl acetate daily. The ethanol production of Dhampur Sugar Mills increased by almost 28% in FY24, from 931.08 lakh BL to 1,189.78 lakh BL.
Triveni Engineering & Industries
It is among India’s biggest integrated producers of sugar. Additionally, it leads the market in a number of engineering sectors, including defense, water and wastewater treatment, and power transmission. The company owns two modern distilleries in Muzaffarnagar and one each in Sabitgarh, Milak Narayanpur, and Rani Nangal (RNG) in Uttar Pradesh, with a combined capacity of 860 KLPD, to produce ethanol.
These facilities can generate rectified spirit, denatured spirit, additional neutral alcohol, and ethanol. To make ethanol, a combination of grain and sugarcane-based feedstocks are used. Additionally, the company creates a co-product called dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS), which is well-liked by the market and marketed to prestigious universities.
Dwarikesh Sugar Industries Limited
It is among India’s biggest integrated producers of sugar. Additionally, it leads the market in a number of engineering sectors, including defense, water and wastewater treatment, and power transmission. The company owns two modern distilleries in Muzaffarnagar and one each in Sabitgarh, Milak Narayanpur, and Rani Nangal (RNG) in Uttar Pradesh, with a combined capacity of 860 KLPD, to produce ethanol.
These facilities can generate rectified spirit, denatured spirit, additional neutral alcohol, and ethanol. To make ethanol, a combination of grain and sugarcane-based feedstocks are used. Additionally, the company creates a co-product called dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS), which is well-liked by the market and marketed to prestigious universities.
Shree Renuka Sugar
One of India’s largest producers of ethanol and refiners of sugar is Shree Renuka Sugars. Ethanol production for use in gasoline and electricity generation is part of the company’s green energy industry. It makes a significant contribution to the ethanol blending initiative of the Indian government.
The business runs eight state-of-the-art sugar mills, some of which generate ethanol. The enterprise is capable of producing 1,250 kl of ethanol each day. Its goal is to further expand this capability.
Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar
One of India’s leading producers of ethanol and sugar is Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited. It is based in Maharashtra and runs 14 sugar plants in places including Khambharkhera, Thana Bhawan, Budhana, Palia Kalan, and Gola Gokaran Nath. Together, these facilities can crush 136,000 tons of sugarcane per day and distill 800 kiloliters of alcohol per day.
With aspirations to boost production to about 218 million liters yearly, the corporation is a significant producer of ethanol, now producing 38 million liters annually. At its sugar mills, Bajaj Hindustan also uses bagasse to produce roughly 430 megawatts of electricity. Additionally, it runs five coal-fired power facilities that provide the state system with an additional 450 megawatts of electricity.
Khaitan India Ltd
Since its incorporation in 1936, Khaitan (India) Ltd. has operated distilleries and produced sugar. The company uses sugarcane as its main raw material to make sugar, molasses, and alcohol. The government’s demand for ethanol blending in fuels has led Khaitan, a long-standing player in the Indian sugar sector, to diversify its operations to include the manufacture of ethanol.
India Sucrose Ltd
Indian Sucrose Ltd. was established in 1990 and produces sugar and associated goods. The company specializes in making premium refined sugar and mostly works in northern India. Additionally, Indian Sucrose uses bagasse, a byproduct of processing sugarcane, to co-generate power. The company’s main goals are to boost manufacturing capacity and improve operational efficiency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the necessity for cleaner energy and the government’s strong backing are driving India’s ethanol manufacturing industry’s rapid growth. Ethanol manufacturing companies in India are playing a pivotal role in transforming the country’s fuel environment, enhancing rural economies, and reducing pollution and reliance on oil imports. Seeing their journey demonstrates how creativity and accountability can work together to truly change things. It’s encouraging to see these businesses leading the way in this green revolution, and the future of India’s ethanol sector appears bright!
FAQ
How does ethanol blending benefit the environment?
Ethanol blending reduces greenhouse gas emissions by producing fewer pollutants than traditional petrol. It’s a renewable source of energy, which helps improve air quality and supports India’s efforts to combat climate change.
Who regulates the ethanol manufacturing sector in India?
The ethanol sector in India is regulated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and other government bodies to ensure sustainable growth, fair pricing, and adherence to blending targets.
What crops are mainly used for ethanol production in India?
In India, sugarcane is the primary crop used for ethanol production, followed by corn. These crops provide the sugars and starches necessary for the fermentation process that produces ethanol.
