The Hindu Business Line : Ethanol output from sorghum to start soon

The country's first facility that acquired technology from Icrisat to make ethanol from non-molasses route (through sweet sorghum) will start production next month.

The Rs 23-crore manufacturing unit is being set up by Rusni Distilleries Private Ltd at Mohammed Shapur village in Medak district. The patented process, developed by Icrisat, produces ethanol from stalks and from grains of sweet sorghum.

According to Mr Kiran K. Sharma, a senior scientist of Icrisat (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics), said the Agri Business Incubator provided technical assistance to the company. Besides offering consultation on package of practices that goes into ethanol production, it also helped the company in sourcing equity partners and loans.

While one-third of Rs 23 crore was equity, the remaining portion would come through loans. The annual turnover from operations is expected to be around $5-6 million. It provides direct employment to 150 and indirect employment to 20,000 farmers and farm labourers. The facility has a capacity of 40 kilolitres a day.

Under the agreement, the company would provide data on ethanol production parameters and financial support for services.

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