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January 2014, VOL III |
At the outset, I wish all my readers a very happy and prosperous year ahead! Though the ethanol sector witnessed extensive activity in the year gone by, there is still some way to go before the blending mandate is fully implemented. While sizeable deliveries have taken place to the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), these remain less than adequate. Industry estimates suggest that ~50% of the total requirement as per January 2013 tender has been delivered with few of the depots (areas) achieving 10% blending. The OMCs may have missed the June 2013 deadline for 5% blending, yet given the Government’s continuous efforts I believe we are headed in the right direction. Pricing negotiations for the July 2013 tender are underway, with part quantity having been tied-up. Quarter ended 31 Dec saw a total export of 33.2 Mn litres of ENA and 11.3 Mn litres of other alcohol. In the quarter prior to this, these figures stood at 39.5 Mn litres and 27.1 Mn litres respectively. I expect export volumes to increase in the current quarter with export permits expected to be issued shortly in Uttar Pradesh and milling operations to gain full momentum.
Shekhar Swarup |
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India News |
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Sugar mills in a fix as oil firms delay process to buy ethanolJan 12: Oil marketing companies – Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum - have, so far, issued letters of intent (LoIs) to procure about 24 crore (240 Mn) litres of ethanol for the mandatory five per cent blending programme. Read more India - New panel to fast-track ethanol tendersJan 3: The Food, Farm and Petroleum Ministers have decided to set up a committee to fast-track ethanol tenders. The panel will include representatives from the Agriculture, Food, Finance and Oil Ministries, and will look at ways to speed up tenders. Read more CCI probing sugar mills for alleged price fixingDec 31: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said its director-general (investigation) was probing allegations of price manipulation by oil marketing companies (OMCs) and sugar mills during the bidding for ethanol blending with petrol. Showcause notices have been sent to 18 sugar mills for alleged collusion with OMCs to fix prices, a senior member of the commission said. Notices might follow to OMCs. Read more OMCs' ethanol purchase: CCI refuses to stop projectOct 16: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed a complaint which asked for staying the ongoing process for procuring ethanol from sugar companies for the petrol blending programme. Read more Can second generation ethanol fuel India's growth?Nov 15: With its vast agricultural waste, India is in a unique position to develop second generation ethanol industry. Given the biomass residues available, India could in theory produce between 34 billion to 50 billion litres of second generation ethanol annually. But government's proactive support is imperative to make cellulosic ethanol a reality. Read more Slowdown in global spirits market trickles into IndiaNov 5: Alcoholic beverage companies in India are in for challenging times as the growth wave they have been riding on in the last few years is beginning to subside. The growth in the Indian spirits market is expected to slow down to a CAGR of 4.3% through 2018, compared to 17% CAGR growth from 2007-12, according to research firm IWSR. Read more Kingsman cuts sugar surplus forecast by 5.7% on Brazil ethanolDec 10: The global sugar surplus will be smaller than previously forecast as millers in Brazil, the world’s largest producer, make more ethanol next year, Kingsman SA said in its fourth estimate for the 2013-14 season. Read more India to boost raw sugar exports, mills to get production supportDec 31: India could soon boost exports of raw sugar at the expense of top suppliers Brazil and Thailand as the government looks likely to give cash-strapped mills financial help for production so they can pay farmers. Read more Sweet pill for sugar mills in higher ethanol blending capDec 12: Cash-starved sugar mills stand to gain an annual Rs 7,500 crore if an informal group of ministers’ recommendation to double the mandatory blending of ethanol with petrol to a 10:90 ratio were to be implemented. This assumes that raising the blending limit will stir competition among industrial consumers, paving the way for the diversion of some molasses, even with sucrose content, towards the bio-fuel production and drive up prices of ethanol and sugar by 10% each. Read more Indian rice harvest to fall this year, Official saysNov 7: India's rice harvest will likely decline this year as a surprise spate of bad weather has damaged what was supposed to be a bumper crop. Read more Fuel price reforms to continue: MoilyDec 14: Oil minister M Veerappa Moily on Friday allayed fears of an oil shock by way of hefty increase in diesel and cooking gas prices but said fuel pricing and other reforms in the oil sector would continue. Read more Strike hits Nhava Sheva portOct 23: Shipping operations at Nhava Sheva port near Mumbai have been badly hit due to wage disagreements between workers and the management at Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT), one of three independent ports in the area. Read more Adani Ports, United Liner among five bidders for liquid terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port TrustOct 18: Five companies, including Adani Ports and United Liner Agencies (ULA), have shown interest in constructing the Rs 1,800-crore liquid terminal for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT). The terminal will handle edible oil, chemicals, liquid fertilisers as well as petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL). Read more |
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Globus Watch |
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Globus enhanced its aggregate bulk alcohol production capacity by 42 million litres in fiscal year 2012-13. The new plants are on stream and running at full capacity. Using the advanced multi-pressure distillation technology, product quality remains impeccable and has received acceptance from premium liquor makers worldwide. |
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