Shuchi Nahar's Weekend Blog!

Rapid Increase in Ethanol Production Capacity Twitter Handle: @shuchi_nahar Two Different types of processes  to produce Ethanol To produce 684 crore liters of ethanol by the sugar industry by 2025-26, sugarcane equivalent to 60 LMT of surplus sugar would be diverted to ethanol. In the current sugar season, 2020-21 more than 20 LMT of sugar is estimated to be diverted. To produce 666 crore liters of ethanol/ alcohol from food grains by 2025-26, about 165 LMT of food grains would be utilized. At present damaged food grain availability is around 40 lakh tons in the country. In 2020-21 approximately 20 lakh ton maize is surplus FCI Rice is also sufficient in stock (266 LMT) and it will continue to remain robust as procurement of paddy/rice at MSP continues at expected levels. The country is producing sufficient food grains and sugar to meet the requirement for ethanol. Molasses-based distilleries have also been offered interest subvention to convert them to dual feed, to convert b...

Ethanol - Global Production, Capacity, Impact, and Ethanol Blending Trend Twitter Handle: @shuchi_nahar In continuation with the previous Ethanol blog here is an extended version with more new Insights! With a view to give a boost to the agriculture sector and to reduce environmental pollution, the government of India had launched pilot projects in 2001 wherein, 5% ethanol blended petrol was supplied to retail outlets. Apart from field trials, R&D studies were also simultaneously conducted. The success of these field trials and studies paved the way for EBP in India. The Government of India vide its Resolution dated 3rd September 2002 decided to launch Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program in January 2003 for sale of 5% ethanol blended petrol in nine States and four UTs.   The global production of fuel ethanol touched 110 billion liters in 2019 showing an average growth of 4% a year per year during the last decade. The United States of America (USA) and Brazil contribute fo...

What's driving the Ethanol madness?  Twitter Handle: @shuchi_nahar In terms of source, the Indian ethanol market has been categorized into sugar & molasses-based ethanol, second-generation (mixed grains) and grain-based ethanol. The energy demand in our country is rising due to an expanding economy, growing population, increasing urbanization, evolving lifestyles, and rising spending power. Based on application, the market has been segmented into industry solvent, fuel & fuel additive, beverages, disinfectant, personal care, and flavouring & fragrance. The target  of achieving 20% Ethanol blending by 2030 has been revised to be achieved by 2025. About 98% of the fuel requirement in the road transportation sector is currently met by fossil fuels and the remaining 2% by biofuels. Today, India imports 85% of its oil requirement. The Indian economy is expected to grow steadily despite temporary setbacks due to the COVID pandemic. Domestic biofuels provide a strateg...

Ethanol - The next big tailwind story Twitter Handle: @shuchi_nahar Introduction Ethanol , also called ethyl alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol is simple alcohol that is often abbreviated as EtOH. Ethanol production in India is mainly dominated by sugary feedstock, and C-heavy molasses available from sugar mills. Ethanol produced by fermentation of renewable food crops such as sugarcane, maize, wheat, sorghum, beet, and other starches is called bioethanol, and it is the eco-friendly alternative biofuel. The product is primarily used as a solvent in various industries such as: In addition, ethanol is gaining popularity as an efficient alternative fuel. It has significant penetration in the major end-use industries such as automotive, foods and beverages, chemicals, personal care and cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. According to the reports, the global ethanol market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 4.5% to reach USD 117 Billion by the end of 2027. The primary factors fa...

Enzymes – Improving every life, every day Twitter: shuchi_nahar The Indian enzyme market is yet to find its feet, as it is quite small when compared to the other sectors in the country. However, the growing awareness about the capabilities of enzymes and the subsequent benefits (both nutrition and cost-wise) will be important growth factors in the coming years. Nature’s enzymes and microbes are at work everywhere – from converting sugar into energy inside your cells, to enabling photosynthesis in the trees and plants outside your window.  What are Enzymes? Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts. When one substance needs to be transformed into another, nature uses enzymes to speed up the process. In our stomachs, for example, enzymes break down food into tiny particles to be converted into energy. Enzymes are used as catalysts to manufacture a variety of everyday products - like sugar, beer, bread, and ethanol. They are also used directly in products such as laundry deterge...