Biofuels are transportation fuels such as ethanol and biomass-based diesel fuel that are made from biomass materials. These fuels are usually blended with petroleum fuels (gasoline and distillate/diesel fuel and heating oil), but they can also be used on their own. Using ethanol reduces the consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel made from crude oil, which can reduce the amount of crude oil imported from other countries.
Molasses is a one precious byproduct of sugarcane, about 1 ton of it produces 4% of molasses by the sugar processing industry in every single run. Molasses contain rich source of nutrients, and it is employed as an effective raw material for the production of organic acids especially ethanol. Ethanol is the major product obtained from the molasses by means of anaerobic fermentations using microorganisms.
Grain based distilleries to produce ethanol. However, benefits of interest subvention scheme is to be extended to only those distilleries which are using or will be using dry milling technique to produce Dry Distillers Grain Soluble (DDGS).
Ethanol is used extensively as a solvent in the manufacture of varnishes and perfumes; as a preservative for biological specimens; in the preparation of essences and flavorings; in many medicines and drugs; as a disinfectant and in tinctures (e.g., tincture of iodine); as a fuel and gasoline additive. Ethanol has been produced from different sources in the past.
As India has very large area under sugar cultivation, we can also follow the Brazilian route (i.e. using ethanol as motor fuel) of ethanol production. It has been observed that upto 5% of the ethanol can be blended with petrol without any modification in the carburetor or the engine, provided ethanol to be anhydrous, while upto 10% of ethanol can be blended with minor adjustment in the carburetor or the engine.
Few Indian Major Players
1. Ashley Bio-Fuels Ltd.
2. Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd.
3. Biomax Fuels Ltd.
4. Costal Energy Ltd.
5. First Energy Pvt. Ltd.
6. K B K Chem-Engineering Pvt. Ltd.