Amul Converts Whey to Bioethanol, Eyes ₹700 Cr Boost
Amul, India's leading dairy cooperative, has successfully completed a large-scale trial to produce bioethanol from whey—a byproduct of cheese and paneer production. Conducted at the Shree Narmada Khand Udhyog Sahkari Mandli Ltd facility in Bharuch, Gujarat, the trial processed 4.5 lakh litres of whey to yield 20,000 litres of rectified spirit with 96.71% ethanol content, achieving a 4.4% recovery rate. Amul anticipates increasing this yield to 8% in future operations.
In response to the trial's success, Amul plans to invest ₹70 crore in establishing a bioethanol plant with a daily production capacity of 50,000 litres. The cooperative is also exploring collaborations with existing sugar cooperative ethanol plants in Gujarat. This initiative aligns with India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, which aims for a 20% ethanol blend in petrol, thereby reducing crude oil imports and promoting sustainable energy sources.
Amul currently manages approximately 3 million litres of whey daily across its three cheese manufacturing plants in Gujarat—located in Khatraj, Palanpur, and Himatnagar—and over 15 paneer production facilities nationwide. The bioethanol venture is projected to generate an additional ₹700 crore in revenue, which will be distributed among Amul's 3.6 million farmer-owners through increased milk prices.
Industry Insight:
Amul's innovative approach to converting dairy byproducts into bioethanol not only supports India's renewable energy goals but also exemplifies sustainable practices in the dairy industry. This initiative offers a replicable model for other dairy cooperatives aiming to enhance revenue streams and contribute to environmental sustainability.