25 years of sugar cane research

Sugar cane cultivation in Sri Lanka may provide an alternative to petroleum as ethanol, used in motor fuel and as a fuel additive, is a by-product of the sugarcane industry. The Sugar cane Research Institute recently commemorated 25 years of research and its Chairman C.S. Weeraratna, in a statement issued on this occasion, said Sri Lanka spent Rs.364 million on petroleum imports in 2008. This constitutes almost about 25% of the value of the country’s imports and about 40% of the value of its exports. In view of the high costs involved in importing crude oil, Dr. Weeraratna said it is extremely important to start producing and using alternatives to petroleum.

Dr. Weeraratna explained that ethanol is suitable alternative and is an important by-product of the sugarcane industry, made from molasses. This is the portion of the sugar cane juice which contains sugars other than sucrose (what is normally consumed) and a number of other organic compounds. One of the compounds formed during fermentation of molasses is ethanol. In addition to sugar, about 12 million litres of ethanol, are produced annually at two factories in Sevanagala and Pelwatta.

Sugar cane cultivation in Sri Lanka may provide an alternative to petroleum as ethanol, used in motor fuel and as a fuel additive, is a by-product of the sugarcane industry. The Sugar cane Research Institute recently commemorated 25 years of research and its Chairman C.S. Weeraratna, in a statement issued on this occasion, said Sri Lanka spent Rs.364 million on petroleum imports in 2008. This constitutes almost about 25% of the value of the country’s imports and about 40% of the value of its exports. In view of the high costs involved in importing crude oil, Dr. Weeraratna said it is extremely important to start producing and using alternatives to petroleum.

Dr. Weeraratna explained that ethanol is suitable alternative and is an important by-product of the sugarcane industry, made from molasses. This is the portion of the sugar cane juice which contains sugars other than sucrose (what is normally consumed) and a number of other organic compounds. One of the compounds formed during fermentation of molasses is ethanol. In addition to sugar, about 12 million litres of ethanol, are produced annually at two factories in Sevanagala and Pelwatta.

source: sundaytimes