Renewable Energy: Omnicane Begins this Year's Production of Bioethanol

This product is mainly for the European market, unless in the meantime, the producer will reach an agreement with the Mauritian authorities for the local market. Mixed with gasoline, ethanol is used as fuel. However, the entry into operation of the distillery causes apprehension in the village of L'Escalier, where there are fears of environmental problems similar to those of Alcodis Rose-Belle.

Omnicane Milling Operations Ltd has invested Rs 1 billion in achieving its bioethanol distilleries. This unit will be part of the industrial cluster Baraque, including the sugar mill, refinery and power plant. "The reason the distillery was established here, it is because there are all commodities, including electricity on site," said Rajiv Ramlugon, Chief Sustainability Officer at Omnicane in a meeting with inhabitants of L'Escalier yesterday.

's main economic operator in the region, and would allay the fears expressed by some people (see inset). "Omnicane is a pioneer in the passage of the sugar industry in the sugarcane industry in Mauritius. After the establishment of the thermal power plant and refinery, we will continue with bioethanol distilleries. "

In addition to some of the old equipment still Alcodis performance, Omnicane has invested in new equipment. "We call on foreign experts to assess the equipment. The distillation unit has been improved, the stillage evaporation unit is in good condition and we have developed a new fermentation unit provided by the French experts HONORE SAS. "

The storage of products will be in closed vessels. "This will avoid problems with odors. "The vinasse, a byproduct of the distillation of molasses ethanol be converted into Concentrated Molasses Stillage (CMS) that will be subsequently used by the factory Fertilizers Island Renewable for the production of biofertilizer. On the other hand, the effluent will be directed to a processing unit "modern" and the water is reused for irrigation. "We have launched an international tender for the management of the processing unit. "

All these processes will capture 25 tons of CO2 per day fermentation unit. "CO2 is converted into carbon dioxide which will then be used in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages in Mauritius and in the region. 7500 tonnes of carbon dioxide can thus be obtained each year. "

Gerard Chasteau of Balyon, head of industrial cluster Baraque says that the entry into operation of the distillery, Omnicane operate as a "closed circle." "All waste will be reused. We have the determination to make things right. "

With regard to the impact on the environment, a study was carried out by Arup Sigma and submitted to the Ministry of Environment in October 2011. Following this, Omnicane got its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license in May 2012. "The distillery is located 850 meters from the houses in the village of L'Escalier," says Rajiv Ramlugon.

Moreover, fifty jobs for graduates in the technical field will be created with the entry into operation of the distillery . Priority will be given to the inhabitants of L'Escalier and surrounding areas.

Omnicane plans to start production of bioethanol towards the end of this year. The product will be exported to Europe, where there is an obligation to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. "We wish to sell the product in the local market, but for the moment the regulation is not in place. "In some countries, ethanol is blended with gasoline to make fuel. In Brazil, for example, it is permissible to mix up to 25% ethanol.

Omnicane The partners in this project are: Alco Group, a Belgian company specialized in the production and distribution of ethanol Europe, HONORE SAS, French company specialized in the design and construction of distilleries, Air Liquide, world leader in the production of carbon dioxide and Renewable Fertilizers Island, a pioneer in the use of CMS for the production of biofertilizer in Mauritius.