The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) on March 29, 2023, revised the Guidelines for sugar mills /distilleries regarding the production of ethanol by from B-Hy, C-Hy molasses, sugarcane juice, sugar & sugar syrup, food-grains such as maize, broken rice, surplus rice sourced from FCI etc vide OM No. 4/1/2018-(BP&E) (Part) dated November 11, 2022.
The following revised guidelines have been stated:
• In Part II, para viii of the Guidelines, the following have been substituted:
viii. The distilleries i.e. ethanol units having single processing lines shall be operated with one type of feedstock at a time i.e.
a. C- Hy molasses
b. B- Hy molasses
c. Sugarcane juice/Sugar syrup/Sugar
d. Surplus rice sourced from FCI
e. Damaged food grains like broken rice and
f. Maize
However, in case where more than one ethanol processing lines are available in the same ethanol unit, they may use different class of feed stocks for these processing lines to be operated in parallel subject to proper recording of data of different processing lines with respect to quantities, qualities and complying with the following conditions-
1) Storage tanks/silos for each type of feedstock, as mentioned above, shall be separate and clearly earmarked
2) Although different processing lines may be operated on different feedstocks but only one type of feedstock shall be used at a time in any processing line of the ethanol plant. Connections for feed of other raw materials shall remain disconnected.
3) Each processing line shall have independent system for weighing of feedstocks, fermentation, distillation and de-hydration units. The ethanol receivers for the ethanol produced from each processing line i.e. for each feedstock shall be separate and shall not have any connectivity with other ethanol receivers. PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras shall also be installed at the ethanol receivers.
4) Storage tanks for product i.e. ethanol shall also be separate based on use of feedstock and clearly earmarked. Necessary information and approvals shall be sought by the ethanol units from the state excise or other concerned officials for use of storage tanks.
5) Changeover from one feedstock to another shall be allowed only after minimum 30 days of operation on a particular feedstock. Further, at least one-week advance notice shall be given to the state excise or other concerned officials for changeover of feedstock.
6) The ethanol units shall ensure installation of proper measurement/weighing systems and controls on input and output side.
The other terms & conditions specified in the guidelines issued vide OM No. 4/1/2018- (BP&E) (Part) dated November 11, 2022 shall remain unchanged.
[File No. 4/1/2018-(BP& E)(Part)]
