India Poised for an Ethanol Revolution, Focusing on 2G, SAF and CBG

by Anurima Mondal (Energetica-India) Interview: Sameer Sinha, Chief Executive Officer- Sugar Business Group at Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd. -- The shift towards biofuels, driven by the EBP20 target, signals a transformative journey aligning with energy sustainability and environmental goals, says Sameer Sinha, Chief Executive Officer- Sugar Business Group, Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd. in an interview with Energetica India.

Que: Can you provide insights into Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd.'s journey from a single sugar plant to its current status as a dynamic and diversified conglomerate?

Ans: Throughout our dynamic 90-year journey, we have transformed into a leading industrial conglomerate since our establishment in 1932. Today, we stand as one of India's major integrated sugar and ethanol manufacturers, with notable contributions in power transmission and water & wastewater treatment solutions. Our success is rooted in strong organizational foundations, actively leveraging the expanding opportunity landscape through unwavering commitments to quality and innovation.

Our sugar business has played a pivotal role in our growth strategy, making us one of India's largest sugar manufacturers with 7 state-of-the-art FSSC 22000 certified sugar units strategically located in the sugarcane-rich areas of Uttar Pradesh. These units facilitate the production of high-quality sugar, with captive feedstock supporting the production of potable alcohol, fuel-ethanol, and power.

The quantum of sugarcane crushed has been improving continuously for the Company over the years, growing at an impressive CAGR of 7.8 percent p.a. during 2014-15 to 2022-23. The Company recorded its highest-ever crush of 9.33 million tonnes in the sugar season 2022-23. We are among the leading companies in the state of Uttar Pradesh in terms of recoveries, powered by our focus on high-sugar-yielding sugarcane varieties, planting methodologies, crop management, shorter cut-to-crush time, etc.

In our alcohol business, our strategy aligns with India’s E20 program and self-reliance goals, focusing on manufacturing high-quality ethanol and expanding distillation capacities with multi-feed options. FY 23 witnessed record production and sales.

Que: How has the Company actively supported the Government's vision of E20 petrol?

Ans: Triveni Engineering is working in line with the Government’s agenda of achieving a 20 percent ethanol blending target by 2025. We have been actively focusing on expanding its ethanol production capacity bolstering our capabilities quite substantially from 320 KLPD to 660 KLPD in FY 23. The strategic expansions led us to achieve the highest-ever alcohol production of 18.12 crore liters, while by the end of Q3 FY 24, we had already produced 13.5 crore liters of ethanol for the fiscal year, with anticipation to surpass last year's production figures.

Que: Triveni Engineering has been involved in establishing a large-scale multi-feed distillery. Could you shed light on the technological advancements or innovations that have been implemented in this process?

Ans: We have state-of-the-art distilleries spread across Muzaffarnagar (MZN) – 2 facilities, Sabitgarh (SBT) and Milak Narayanpur (MNP) in Uttar Pradesh aggregating to 660 KLPD. These facilities have the capability to produce Ethanol, Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), Rectified Spirit (RS) and Denatured Spirit (SDS). The Company utilises a mix of sugarcane-based feedstocks as well as grains. Distillers Dried Grain Soluble (DDGS), a co-product produced on grain operations is also sold to premium Institutions and has been well accepted in the market. The Company also manufactures Indian Made Indian Liquor (IMIL).

At Triveni, we're advancing with multi-feed distilleries at Milak Narayanpur and Rani Nangal. These state-of-the-art facilities can utilize molasses, juice/syrup, or grains to produce top-notch ethanol at the highest efficiency. They're among India's largest new multi-feed distilleries which was built with the latest technology in grain milling section and DDGS production. We have the best-integrated water management system with ZLD while utilizing all the feedstocks.

Ans: India is poised for an ethanol revolution, focusing on second-generation ethanol (2G), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Compressed Biogas (CBG). The shift towards biofuels, driven by the EBP20 target, signals a transformative journey aligning with energy sustainability and environmental goals.

Crucial investments in technology, capacity improvement, and modern biomass and biofuel strategies are pivotal. To drive this transformation, sustainable financial support for bioenergy projects, increased minimum biofuel prices, tax reductions, and integration of the sugar industry into the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme are imperative policy components. A similar level of Government support as provided to the EV industry should be extended to the bioenergy sector, ensuring affordability and reliability alongside environmental sustainability.

The sugar industry has actively supported the Ethanol Blending Program in collaboration with the Government. READ MORE