Pune, April 6 2025 : “By leveraging advanced ethanol production technologies, utilizing existing machinery, and adopting grain-based modules, sugar mills can ensure year-round operations, thereby significantly enhancing their efficiency and profitability,” opined Rajesh Tope, a veteran cooperative leader and former Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare of Maharashtra. “This addition can boost revenue margins by ₹300-₹400 per ton of cane crushed, making it a transformative step for the sector,” he further added. He was speaking at a technical workshop recently organized by Praj Industries.
Praj Industries, a global leader in bioenergy solutions, recently convened a technical workshop in Pune, focusing on the evolving landscape of ethanol blending in India and emerging opportunities in biofuels. Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries, and Atul Mulay, President – Bioenergy, Praj Industries, attended the event.
The workshop brought together industry participants, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing ethanol production and utilizing existing assets with grain modules. Rajesh Tope, who attended the workshop, praised Praj’s initiative, saying, “The workshop was exceptionally insightful and timely, offering in-depth knowledge on advanced ethanol production technologies. This forward-thinking initiative will strengthen ethanol production, improve financial sustainability for mills, and accelerate India’s biofuel ambitions.”
Tope emphasized the importance of water-saving and steam-saving technologies, highlighting solutions like air-cooled condensers showcased at the workshop. He also noted that generating CBG from spent wash and press mud presents an effective way to manage hazardous spent wash while aligning with the waste-to-energy principle. However, availability of feedstock at the right price will also be important for the success of this program, he mentioned.
