OMCs float season's 2nd tender, seek 2.5 bn litres ethanol from sugar mills

So far, lower cane availability has impacted ethanol supply for blending with petrol

The central government's three oil marketing companies (OMCs) have floated a second tender for ethanol to supply the petrol-blending programme.

They want a total of 2.53 billion (bn) litres, for supply between February 1 and November 30. In response to the first tender, floated in September 2019, the mills offered less than a third of what the OMCs asked for. 

In the present one, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) says it needs 1.07 bn litres, Hindustan Petroleum (HPC) 787 million and Bharat Petroleum (BPC) 672 mn litres. Made from sugarcane juice, sugar or sugar syrup, B or C heavy molasses or damaged foodgrain. 

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