Praj To Set Up India’s Largest Sugarcane Syrup Based Ethanol Plant For Godavari Biorefineries

Praj Industries has bagged an order to set up India’s largest capacity syrup based ethanol plant from a Godavari Biorefineries Ltd (GBL) in Karnataka. As a part of this project, Praj will expand the existing ethanol manufacturing capacity to 600 KLPD (Kilo Litres Per Day) , using sugarcane syrup. When commissioned, this will become India’s largest capacity syrup based ethanol plant.

The Government of India has been incentivising  the sugar sector to limit surplus sugar production and instead, produce more ethanol. This capacity expansion planned by GBL is in line with the Government’s Biofuel policy to increase the Ethanol manufacturing quantity in India using various sugary feed stocks.

Even after the expansion, the GBL Plant will continue to be a zero liquid discharge facility.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Samir Somaiya, Chairman & Managing Director of Godavari Biorefineries Limited (GBL) said, “Responding to government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, we decided to divert sugar cane syrup to distillery to manufacture Ethanol. We are happy for our association with Praj as our technology partner for increasing our manufacturing capacity. Praj will design, engineer, supply, install and increase our capacity from 400 KLPD to 600 KLPD ethanol production using sugar syrup as raw material. We look forward to building on our mutually rewarding relationship with Praj with our new ventures.”

Mr. Shishir Joshipura, CEO & MD of Praj said, “Praj is delighted to work with an industry leader and to bring its state of the art syrup to ethanol technology, to establish India’s largest syrup based ethanol plant. Praj has over a decade’s experience in designing and building syrup to ethanol systems in overseas markets. Our technology delivers best in class yields enhancing the delivered value for our customer.”

This is expected to open more similar opportunities in syrup to ethanol manufacturing and ultimately boost ethanol production in the country.

For Praj, which is well placed to ride some of the biggest shifts in the energy sector, be it the manufacture of ethanol or compressed bio gas from agricultural waste, the project will add to an order book that it hopes will be rising even faster over the coming decade.

 Godavari Biorefineries Ltd was established in 1939 and is one of India’s leading and sustainable company producing sugar, other foods, biofuels, chemicals, power, compost, waxes, and related products, using sugarcane and other biomass as the primary feedstock. They have  manufacturing plants located at Sameerwadi, Bagalkot district in Karnataka and Sakarwadi, Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra.

Using molasses, a by-product of sugar production, as a feedstock, they are among the larger producers of ethanol in India.