NEWS –  India has become the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of ethanol.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Increase in Cultivation: Sugarcane cultivation in India has risen by approximately 18% over the last decade.
• Production Boost: Sugarcane production has increased by 40% during the same period.
• Support for Farmers: Introduction of Minimum Support Price (MSP) has resolved farmers’ dues, transforming their role from “Anna Dattas” (food providers) to “Urja Dattas” (energy providers).

UNDERSTANDING ETHANOL

Definition and Sources

• Agricultural By-Product: Ethanol is primarily derived from sugarcane processing but can also be obtained from sources like rice husk and maize.
• Physical Properties: It is a clear, colorless liquid with a distinct vinous odor and a pungent taste.
• Renewable Fuel: As it is produced from plants, ethanol is classified as a renewable fuel.

Production in India

• Primary Source: In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses via fermentation.
• Ethanol Blending: This process involves mixing ethanol with petrol to reduce fossil fuel usage in vehicles.

Supplementing Ethanol Supplies

• Procurement Allowance: The Government of India has authorized the procurement of ethanol from alternative sources, known as first-generation ethanol (1G).
• Second Generation Ethanol: Ethanol can also be derived from materials like rice straw, wheat straw, maize cobs, corn stover, bagasse, bamboo, and woody biomass (2G sources).

Applications of Ethanol

• Industrial Uses: Ethanol serves as an essential industrial chemical, utilized as a solvent and in the synthesis of other organic chemicals.
• Automotive Additive: It is also added to automotive gasoline, enhancing performance while minimizing fossil fuel consumption.