Maharashtra ethanol production likely to reach 140 crore litre next year: Sugar industry representative

Sugar sector representatives have predicted that Maharashtra's ethanol production will hit 140 crore litres in 2019. Future fuel consumption will exceed food demand.
"Hence, the sugar industry in Maharashtra will also be called as the energy industry in times to come," National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories Limited Chairman Jayprakash Dandegavkar told PTI.

Sugarmills produce ethanol. December 1 to November 30 is its production cycle. In 2020-21, Maharashtra produced 100.36 crore litres of ethanol through 78 plants.

Since December 2021, the state has generated 75.88 crore litres of ethanol through 85 businesses, he added.

Next year's production could reach 130 to 140 crore litres. He predicts 90 ethanol-producing establishments.

Considering the limitations for natural fuel products, sugar producing companies will also produce electricity, hydrogen along with ethanol in future, Dandegavkar said.

Talking about the future pathway of ethanol production in the state, he said, "This production growth is mainly based on finance and government policies along with viability and new technology."

The government has to keep a balance between labour wages, sugar rates and also ensure good returns for sugarcane producers, he said.

In this scenario, the sugar industry cannot maintain its regular growth, he said.

He demanded that the government also help financially in the ethanol production.

"The co-operative sugar industry works on a 'no profit-no loss' policy. Therefore, it does not have huge finances needed to undertake new projects," he said.

The government helps in establishing a co-operative sugar factory. In the same manner, it should also financially help in ethanol production, he added.

[With PTI inputs]