| RIL forays into ethanol-making, mulls 3 plants in Maharashtra |
| Our Regional Bureau / Mumbai May 31, 2006 |
| Reliance Industries (RIL) is planning to set up three sugarcane juice-based ethanol production plants in Maharashtra with a daily crushing capacity of around 10,000 to 12,000 tonne as well as make a foray into sugar production at a later stage. This was revealed during a presentation made by an RIL delegation before the Union agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar, and members of the Maharashtra State Sugar Co-operative Federation's (MSSCFL) headquarters, here today. MSSCFL officials said RIL is planning to start three sugarcane juice-based plants in Pune, Osmanabad and Kolhpaur districts in the state. Besides, RIL is also planning to produce ethanol directly from grains, turnips and damaged grains. However, the technology to produce ethanol from grains and turnips is yet not commercially tested, sources added. It is expected that RIL |
