The estimated project cost is to the tune of Rs 1,000 crores and it is expected to generate annual revenue of approximately Rs 1500 crores
Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL) and GAIL (India) Limited (GAIL) have joined hands to set up a bioethanol plant of 500 KLD capacity. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up a bioethanol plant in Gujarat and cooperation in other business areas of mutual interest was signed by MV Iyer, Director (Business Development) of GAIL and Milind Torawane, MD, GACL in the presence of Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat, K Kailashnathan, Chief Principal Secretary, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Pankaj Joshi, Addl Chief Secretary to Chief Minister of Gujarat and Manoj Jain, CMD, GAIL at Gandhinagar.
This plant will be using corn/broken rice as feedstock with eco-friendly technology and it will produce 500 KLD Bioethanol, which will be used for blending in petrol. As by-products from this plant, 135 KTPA Protein-rich animal feed and 16.50 KTPA of corn oil while using corn as feedstock are also expected to be produced.
Dahod, Panchmahal, Aravalli and Mahisagar are major corn-producing districts in Gujarat and hence the project is likely to come up in one of these districts. A detailed feasibility study through a third party is in progress for the project.
The estimated project cost is to the tune of Rs 1,000 crores and it is expected to generate annual revenue of approximately Rs 1500 crores.
An estimated savings of $70 million per year in Foreign Exchange outgo is expected through this project. Beyond the savings, this project will also generate direct and indirect employment for around 700 individuals. Long term supply contracts for corn would encourage corn farming with sustainable, multi-fold income for farmers through increased productivity and an assured market. Steps will also be taken to improve the productivity of corn in the state with the help of the Maize Research Centre in Godhra.
