In a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha recently, K V Thomas, minister of state (independent charge) for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, said the ethanol output is likely to decline by 16 per cent this year.
However, Abinash Verma, director general, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), said the decline in ethanol output is not a matter of worry.
“India's ethanol production is likely to decline by 16 per cent to 2,590 million litres in the current sugar season on account an lower output of the sweetener. The country is estimated to have produced 3,070 million litres of alcohol in the 2011-2012 sugar season (October-September),” Thomas said.
However, Verma said, “Even though there is decilne in output of ethanol by 16 per cent it will not have any impact. The total requirement of ethanol for the country is 2,200 million litres only. As the production this year is 2,590 million litres we will not be exporting this year. Earlier we used to export it.”
Industry sources corroborated the ISMA's director general's view, stating, “The estimated quantity of alcohol produced during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 has been about 2,630 and 3,070 million litres respectively, but the estimated production of alcohol during 2012-2013 sugar season is likely to be 2,590 million litres.”
A source from Red Bull, on the condition of anonymity, said, “The production of ethanol may have declined by 16 per cent this year due to a decline in the production of sugar in comparison with previous years, but it will not affect the beverage industry at all. There will be no impact on the prices of Red Bull energy drink.”
Uses of ethanol
Ethanol is a colourless, flammable liquid which is produced from the fermentation of sugar. It is often called drinking alcohol or pure alcohol, as it is a prime ingredient in alcoholic beverages. In fact, ethanol is the intoxicating substance in alcohol.
