The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has authorised sugar mills and distilleries to manufacture Rectified Spirit (RS) and Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) using sugarcane juice and B-Heavy molasses.

“I am directed to refer to this Directorate order No 3(2)/2023-SP dated 15.12.2023 regarding no use of sugarcane juice/ B-heavy molasses for manufacture of RS and ENA and to say that sugar mills and distilleries are allowed to manufacture RS and ENA from sugarcane juice and B-Heavy Molasses.”

The latest move comes alongside the government’s recent approval for sugar mills and distilleries to produce ethanol from sugarcane juice, B-Heavy molasses, and C-Heavy molasses for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25.

In December 2023, the government prohibited the use of sugarcane juice or sugar syrup for ethanol production in the 2023-2024 ESY (December-November) to ensure adequate sugar availability for domestic consumption and keep prices in check.

Official data shows ethanol blending in India has reached 13.3% by July of the current season, up from 12.6% during the 2022-2023 season.

Currently, the country’s total ethanol production capacity stands at 1,589 crore litres. Of this, OMCs purchased 505 crore litres of ethanol for blending purposes during the 2023-2024 season.

The government aims to achieve the 20% ethanol blending target by 2025-2026.

India is the world’s second-largest sugar-producing country after Brazil.

Furthermore, the government has lifted a previous ban, allowing the sale of up to 23 lakh tonnes of rice from Food Corporation of India (FCI) stocks to grain-based ethanol distilleries. This decision is expected to significantly boost ethanol production.