INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Pune: Maharashtra sugar mills could be missing out on the opportunity to supply ethanol to oil companies, which would collectively embark on
their biggest fuel blending programme from Dec 1, as factories making the sweetener in the state lack the necessary clearances.
To supply
ethanol, mills must have licences from PESO (petroleum and explosives safety organisation) as mandated by the National Green Tribunal.
In
October, Indian oil marketing companies had floated the biggest tender ever to procure 3.13 billion litres of ethanol between December 2018
Sugar mills also have responded well as the government has increased ethanol price substantially
least one year to meet the requirements, like construction of storage tanks and other provisions
Presently, 57 distilleries from the country have obtained PESO licences
Of the 149 distilleries that had applied for licences, 100 have been given provisional licences, while 49 distilleries have been asked to
price of ethanol produced directly from sugarcane juice from Rs 47.13/ litre to Rs 59.13/litre
Price of ethanol produced from B-heavy molasses has been increased from Rs 47.13 to Rs 52.43/litre.
According to government estimates,
compared to ethanol derived from C heavy molasses route, diversion of B heavy molasses reduces sugar by about 20 per cent and almost doubles
