Three Maharashtra sugar co-operatives blend ethanol in disel on pilot basis

PUNE: Three cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra have started blending ethanol in diesel on pilot basis. "We are acquired permission of the central government for this pilot project. We have started blending ethanol in diesel in vehicles used for our sugar mills," said Vijaysinh Mohit Patil, president of All India Ethanol Manufacturers' Association and president, Maharashtra Cooperative Sugar Factories Federation.

Due to excess cane production, the sugar mills in Maharashtra are facing problem of excess mollases. The Maharashtra mills have already supplied five crore litre of ethanol for the national ethanol blending programme till now. They have also exported some quantities of molasses. Considering that there will be bumper molasses production in the next crushing season due to increase in cane area, the Federation has called for its other members to participate in the pilot project of blending ethanol in disel.