Molasses is a syrup, by-product from the processing of sugarcane into sugar. The thick viscous syrup used in jaggeries, production of ethanol and also one that provides the robust bittersweet flavor to baked beans and gingerbread has been available throughout the years since the company’s inception. Through these years, Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) has been selling the product to its customers who comprise mainly of:- - Industrial users.
- Farmers-Individual purchasers.
- Traders.
The growth of ethanol fuels as an alternative to conventional fuel commodities such as oil has however presented a unique opportunity for MSC to diversify its product range. Because of limited crude oil supplied and refining capacity, and rising concern over environmental degradation, there is a good market outlook for ethanol. With this in mind, Mumias Sugar Company has launched a feasibility study into the viability of ethanol production. The results of the pre-feasibility study are promising. The study indicates that Mumias could convert its molasses output into 65,000 litres a day of ethanol. The annual production estimates suggest that ethanol production will not displace the sugar production but it will utilize the molasses output. Mumias sells its molasses at an average price of Kshs 1,200 a ton. A ton of molasses can be converted into 220 litres of ethanol.
Kenya consumed an estimated 1.4 bn litres of petrol and diesel products in 2005. A blend ration of 10:1 petrol/diesel to ethanol would have a market size of 140 million litres. The domestic sugar industry produced 168,124 tonnes of molasses in 2005 that could possibly be converted into roughly 37 million litres of ethanol or just 2.6% of the total petrol products. |
