Omnicane: Bioethanol Refinery in Operation Soon

"We have started the production of ethanol in the month of September," said a spokesman for the company. Operationalization of a distillery bioethanol from molasses The Hut is part of the 'Multi Annual Adaptation Strategy 2006-2015'. This plan was developed by the Government of Mauritius and the European Union in the framework of the reform of the sugar industry. Omnicane also places the project bioethanol production in the context of the project 'Sustainable Mauritius' insofar as bioethanol can be blended locally fuel vehicles.

In addition, bioethanol distilleries will complement the eco-industrial complex of the Hut which currently includes a candy, a cogeneration power plant producing electricity for the grid of the CEB and refinery producing sugar for the European market.

The refinery will employ around 40 people

The production capacity of the refinery bio-ethanol Omnicane is 24 million liters per year, while the project has required an investment of 25 million euros, or about Rs 1 billion.

The partners in the project Omnicane bioethanol distilleries are: Alco Group, a Belgian company specialized in the production and distribution of ethanol in Europe, Honore SAS, French company specializing in the design and construction of distilleries in France and Reunion, Air Liquide, a world leader in the production of industrial gases for the food and pharmaceutical industries, and finally, Island Renewable Fertilizer.

With the creation of the bioethanol distilleries, Omnicane provides employment for about forty people. In addition to ethanol, schedules productions such as the production of food carbon dioxide are planned.

As it is effluent, they will be treated and channeled through a processing unit of modern wastewater. The collected water will then be used for irrigation.