Nagpur: Manas Agro Industries, formed from Purti Group formerly advertised by Nitin Gadkari, now produces alcohol along with ethanol production, which is the flagship product of the joint venture. Two new entities, Manas Agro and CIAN Agro Industries, were formed from the Purti Group. Now the two companies are run by Gadkari’s sons Sarang and Nikhil and the Union minister is not involved in the day-to-day affairs of the businesses.
Gadkari is a strong advocate of alternative fuels such as ethanol. Agrovision, the annual farmers fair he sponsors, has the motto of making farmers a supplier of energy sources such as biofuels. Ethanol is made from molasses generated from Manas’ sugar mill at Bela in Umred tehsil. The same unit has now launched brands of rum and whiskey, named Kaptan and Whole Stone respectively. The product was recently launched in retail stores.
Spirit, made from molasses from Manas’ sugar mill, is used to make alcohol as well as ethanol, after being further refined. Company sources say the production of the wine is just the beginning and the markets are being tested. Ethanol is still the company’s flagship product today.
Manas Group director Samay Bansod, who confirmed the development, said it was just an early stage. Because alcohol can also be made from spirits, the company has diversified its product line, he said.
Spirit is the first product to be made from molasses created from a sugar factory. Further processing will result in the production of ethanol, which needs to be above 99% purity to be mixed into gasoline. A small amount of spirits is also saved to produce Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), he said.
“Right now we are just testing the waters,” he said. Then, when the product is accepted, the output will be increased. In addition to selling brands in Maharashtra, there are plans to bring products to the northern states. In particular, rum is expected to be in high demand during the winter months, Bansod said.
The company knew it would have to compete with established players in the business and that it would be difficult to create a market. Some factors such as taste matter when it comes to changing consumer preferences. Production will only be scaled up when demand eventually increases, he said.
With the goal of bringing the ethanol blending ratio to 20%, a large demand for this product is expected in the coming days. A claim of up to 1,500 crore liters of ethanol is expected. Once again, the Manas Group has made 2 million liters, says Bansod, leaving a huge opportunity for expansion.
Gadkari is a strong advocate of alternative fuels such as ethanol. Agrovision, the annual farmers fair he sponsors, has the motto of making farmers a supplier of energy sources such as biofuels. Ethanol is made from molasses generated from Manas’ sugar mill at Bela in Umred tehsil. The same unit has now launched brands of rum and whiskey, named Kaptan and Whole Stone respectively. The product was recently launched in retail stores.
Spirit, made from molasses from Manas’ sugar mill, is used to make alcohol as well as ethanol, after being further refined. Company sources say the production of the wine is just the beginning and the markets are being tested. Ethanol is still the company’s flagship product today.
Manas Group director Samay Bansod, who confirmed the development, said it was just an early stage. Because alcohol can also be made from spirits, the company has diversified its product line, he said.
Spirit is the first product to be made from molasses created from a sugar factory. Further processing will result in the production of ethanol, which needs to be above 99% purity to be mixed into gasoline. A small amount of spirits is also saved to produce Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), he said.
“Right now we are just testing the waters,” he said. Then, when the product is accepted, the output will be increased. In addition to selling brands in Maharashtra, there are plans to bring products to the northern states. In particular, rum is expected to be in high demand during the winter months, Bansod said.
The company knew it would have to compete with established players in the business and that it would be difficult to create a market. Some factors such as taste matter when it comes to changing consumer preferences. Production will only be scaled up when demand eventually increases, he said.
With the goal of bringing the ethanol blending ratio to 20%, a large demand for this product is expected in the coming days. A claim of up to 1,500 crore liters of ethanol is expected. Once again, the Manas Group has made 2 million liters, says Bansod, leaving a huge opportunity for expansion.
