Press Release
Press Release
Godavari Biorefineries inaugurates ZLD facility in Sakarwadi, India
ONLINE, CHEMICAL ENGINEERING | Nov 05, 2019Godavari Biorefineries Limited’s Chemical Business Unit Co-Shares 2 Platinum Awards with Larsen & Toubro
ONLINE, CHEMICAL INDUSTRY DIGEST | Oct 11, 2019
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd earns USDA Certified Biobased Product Label (100% Biobased content) for NaturoBG ® (1,3-Butylene Glycol), Acetic Acid Glacial and Crotonaldehyde.
Biotech Express (Print- Vol.6- Issue 72) | Jul 18, 2019
Text of Samir Somaiya's Gundu Rao Memorial Lecture address at the Annual Convention of the Deccan Sugar Technologists Association held at Belagavi, in July 2017.
Jul 21, 2017Cane (Crop of the past or Feedstock of the future)
The world is living in a fossil fuel economy. And this has led to tremendous growth in the world economy. But as we progress, we have also seen, that the current methods of consumption, we are depleting resources. In the future, we will have to adapt to a more renewable future.
Renewables are interesting, and fundamentally different from fossil resources. The focus on fossil resources, is extraction. Every subsequent year, you will have less of the resource. In renewables, it is how much you can make available, and then what you can harvest. And, if done right, you could have equal resource every year.
So, I will speak on the raw material, the process, and the product. As I go along, I will also give suggestions for research that DSTA could consider.
Raw Material
Imagine having been prescribed medicine for your health, without having had a checkup. Would we even consider doing that? I think that the same is the case today, in the work we do in soil science. In the past couple of years, we have done over 4,000 tests for soil, and we have seen that the application of inputs to the soil is independent of what the soil needs.Farmers apply inputs to the soil as suggested by tradition, what the neighbor is doing, or what the marketing company is recommending.
To get better yields, we must focus on soil health. And to understand soil health, we must first understand it, what it has, and what it needs.
Once we know what it is, we must then focus on how to keep it good for all time. There are various ways in which we can do this. From having an educated understanding and informed application of what is being recommended by the fertilizer companies, to a greater education and understanding of the experiments being done in agro ecology. Using of farm produce itself, to make the farm productive. I have seen farms using a combination of cow urine, garlic, jaggery etc, to make combinations of fertilizer and pesticide additions to enhance soil health and fertility.
Experiments in Brazil (to keep the soil wild). There have also been experiments in Brazil, where the soil and cane have been allowed to grow using organic methods, and biological means of pest control.
Recommendation 1: We must encourage research that integrates modern research and traditional methods
There is also much research on use of some pesticides, and effect on human health. Recently, I read a book ‘Living Downstream, by Sandra Steingraber (http://www.livingdownstream.com/) that looks at modern practices and their detrimental effect on our health. Can we look at this research, and examine our response.
Recommendation 2: Being mindful of our agricultural practices and study their effects, if any, human health.
Soil is one aspect of sustainability. The next aspect is water. We are constantly being reminded, that we are in the Deccan plateau, and that water is scarce. Sugarcane drives the local economy. Sugarcane contributes to livelihoods, and provides sustainable energy in the form of renewable electricity (cogeneration), and biofuels (ethanol). The business of sugarcane processing, is also carbon mitigating, when a carbon balance is drawn around the entire sugarcane economic envelope.
But, water is a scarce commodity, and its use must be measured. The advent of drip technology promises much saving, but it has not spread sufficiently. As of today, total penetration of drip is small. Estimates in Maharashtra are about 18% and Karnataka about 10%. Even though the use of this reduces water consumption by 50%, and increases yield by 30-40%. Systematic efforts need to be made by the mills with their farmers to increase adoption.
There is an explosion of technologies that further help in the monitoring of cane (or for that matter, any plant growth). IOT (internet of things) and new wireless technologies allow for monitoring moisture, and subsequent automation in delivering water when dry will further help plant growth and optimization.
Drones are being used in agriculture. They help the farmer see his/her plot in a way that is not seen otherwise. See patterns, multi-spectral, and also over time.
Recently, when in the USA, I saw a chip being implanted in a tree, that wirelessly communicates moisture content.
Recommendation 3: How do we best integrate these technologies including IOT for better yields.
But even if we have so much information, what recommendations are we providing. Are these static? Have these changed with time? There is an explosion of data, are our recommendations dynamic? Are we learning.
Recommendation 4: How do we give personalised recommendations, instead of static, one size fits all approaches
There is a company, ‘The Climate Corporation’, that was purchased by Monsanto. This gives detailed analysis of the farmer’s plot. And what needs to be done on it. Also, the introduction of cane varieties, intercropping, In March this year, there was an article in the New York Times, ‘How to Steal a River’. This talks about a river in Kerala. Sand acts as an aquifer. When the rainfalls, it helps recharge the ground. The article said, that illegal sand mining has ensured that what were flowing and perennial rivers have become seasonal, and the water tables have dropped. So, while we try to reduce use of water, we have to also see that the harvesting of water (or its conservation) also takes place. Otherwise, we will continue to see what we have been. Rajendra Singh, waterman of India, says that the water that falls on the ground, must be taken under water. Through the planting of trees, and we have to also ensure, that our sand in the river bed is conserved.
Recommendation 5: Water Conservation, and a holistic approach to achieving this.
Ultimately, all this has to be done, with a view on the farmer, and their livelihood. Unlike Brazil or the USA, where farms are very large, and there is corporate agriculture, our agrarian economy is small holder farming. We have to ensure that the farmer continues to make a good livelihood of cane.
What is the area under cane? Are we going to accept that we will always have 90 tons per hectare of cane, and that recoveries will remain static or decline. Will we look at the growth in recoveries that UP has accomplished this past year? How do we combine higher yields, higher sugar content, and a smarted application of knowledge and inputs, so as to ensure that the farmer gets the best yield, and the earth is healthy enough to sustain this agriculture for a long time to come.
Recommendation 6: Targeting better yields without compromising soil fertility and improving farmer livelihoods.
Process:
There are two words that are gaining currency in the world of manufacturing. Cascading, and Circular. What is cascading? And what is circular? By Cascading, we mean the processes that the sugar industry, the world over has been practicing for decades. You make sugar, the molasses cascades to ethanol production, the spent wash cascades to biogas, or steam, or spent wash cascades to make biocompost, etc. Similarly, bagasse cascades to the manufacture of power, or it cascades to make paper or particle board.
By circular, we mean how much of the product Is recycled. So, if I consume water, and sugarcane itself can be considered as a bottle of water, how much of this circles back to the process. Does the water that we get from the sugar plant circle to the fermenters? Does any of this circle back to the power plant? Today, at Sameerwadi, except for the initial filling of water, we require no fresh water to run the sugar process. In fact, the excess condensate is recycled to the cogeneration plant and distillery. It was in recognition of these efforts that the company received an award from ICC and FICCI.
Recommendation 7: Reducing raw water consumption to 0
The use of bio-compost to the farm encircles a wider circular envelope.
This also applies to heat. If I use the heat in the flue gas, to dry the incoming bagasse stream, then once again I have a circular process.
This brings me to energy
How much energy are we putting into the plant? What is the steam % cane? Where are the opportunities for energy recovery? What is the minimum that we can go to? What technologies are we using to discover this minimum, and how do we arrive at what is optimum.
When I joined the business 50% steam on cane was the norm. Exhaust steam used to be used at many places in the plant. And with good reason. One did not want to save bagasse. The creation of a power PPA encouraged energy and subsequent bagasse saving, for use in high pressure turbines for export to the grid. Today, continuous pans and FFEs have made 30% steam on cane possible. When there was no ability to sell excess power, there was no generation of excess power. Today, it is possible to export 110 units per ton of cane crushed. A paper published in 2001, detailing schemes of a gasifier and an integrated gas turbine demonstrated a much larger number of exportable surplus.
Recommendation 7: Steam% cane to 30%
So, the point that I am making is, what do how do we look at the resources we generate. How do we cascade them, and how do we reuse them?
Products
Sugar is our main product. As they say, it is our bread and butter. A few months ago, I attended the NY sugar dinner, and had a chance to meet the head of the WSRO. The website home page of WSRO (www.wsro.org) says, ‘researching the effects of sugar on nutrition, health and wellness worldwide’.
I think that this is important. Much money is being spent, by NGOs, and Governments, trying to find evidence to say that sugar is not healthy. And there is no research being done or supported by the industry, to see the effects of sugar on health and nutrition. On whether, our traditional dietary approaches to using sugar are healthy.
She mentioned that there is a storm, but sugar technologists and management are more concerned with their mills, their efficiencies, their climate, and their Government policies. She mentioned that research must be done that addresses the public perception that is being built simply because of the incredible amount of money being spent to find sugar guilty.
We all need to find out what the facts are, and promote a healthy lifestyle, and a healthy diet. But we should be mindful, that our market is being eroded. ANd we should put the correct research there, and not just lose because we did not put our money or resources to the research.
Recommendation 8: Sugar and health, nutrition research
Ethanol
Now we know that ethanol is very versatile, and it can be used for transportation, drinking, and the manufacture of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
We are here in Belgaum, and I did an analysis of the petrol consumption here. In Belgaum, petrol consumption is 1010.5 KL/month. Or 10 million litres per month, so 1.2 billion litres per year. Or, 12 crore litres per year. The amount of cane crushed in Belgaum district is 79 million tons. At the approximation of about 10 litres of ethanol per ton of cane crushed (assuming that ethanol is only made from molasses), we can have the production of about 8 crore litres of ethanol per year.
Litre for litre, that is 65% of the petrol consumption, and in terms of energy value (since ethanol as 67% of the energy value as petrol), about 40% of the petrol consumption. This means, that at current levels of consumption, if we followed the Brazilian model, where all ethanol, or a percentage of this, could be used as a fuel in the vehicles, we could meet 40% of the need of petrol consumption in this district.
Recommendation 9: Working with auto companies to enable wider use of ethanol as a fuel
Biogas is also produced as a product of bio-methanation. This could also be converted into a transport fuel.
Recommendation 10: Biogas as a fuel
Petrol prices in Belgavi are Rs. 63 per litre. In energy value, this is equivalent to Rs. 42 per litre. Could we not, as the sugar industry be allowed to sell ethanol as a fuel into the market. The demand for petrol is growing, will this demand only be met from imports. When we talk of a circular economy, can we not draw a boundary around what we have.
Many say, where will the ethanol come from. I think we have to take a wider view. Are we going to assume that the productivity of cane will remain static. We are all aware, that in smaller plots, cane yields of over 200 tons/hectare have been witnessed by many of us. Can we not, then target a yield of 125 tons per hectare as an average? There is much happening in the field of cellulosic ethanol. Maybe, in the future, there can be a drop-in conversion costs of converting bagasse to sugars. Coupled with lower steam on cane percentages, the higher bagasse savings can be converted to cellulosic ethanol.
Or, the electricity generation can also be used to power transportation. I have just returned from the USA. My friend has a Tesla. Volvo has just announced, that it will fully transition to electric or hybrid vehicles. At so many places in California, there are electricity charging stations.
Other products
On this same trip, I was at San Fransisco airport, there was 2 bins at the airport for trash. One that said ‘recyle bottles and cans’, and the other for ‘composting’. And the sign above it said, almost everything that you purchase here is compostable. Once again, a circular economy. From the earth, back to the earth.
Like compostable utensils from bagasse, or other agricultural residues, much work is happening in bio polymers, bio chemicals, and also using synthetic biology to convert sugars to high value compounds. The possibilities are endless.
We have to transition to a cleaner and a more renewable future, and must certainly, a sustainable future. One that is a more self-contained economy.
Our past has laid the strong foundations. Let us chart out and build a futuristic path.
Samir Somaiya
Foundation stone-laying ceremony of Cellulose project and Bagasse based Biorefinery Project
Apr 28, 2017Godavari Biorefineries Limited (GBL) is currently operating in Sameerwadi (Dist. Bagalkot, Karnataka) an integrated sugarcane processing complex which consists of sugar factory of 15,000 MT per day sugarcane crushing capacity, distillery of 2 Lakh Liters per day, Co-generation power plant of 48 MW, bio-fertilizer unit & organic chemicals.
GBL decided to embark upon journey to create unique biorefinery using agro feedstock (essentially sugarcane & its derivatives) & to produce various chemicals which have applications in Paints & Coatings, Construction, Pharmaceutical, Flavour & Fragrances, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Food & Beverage industries.
On 28th April 2017, we laid the foundation stone for our next generation bagasse based biorefinery and ethanol based specialty chemicals projects.
Our proposed next generation bagasse based biorefinery & specialty chemical project in Sameerwadi is a step in achieving the stated objective of creating a biorefinery and to optimize the value from the feedstock currently being used in producing sugar, ethanol & power. The bagasse based biorefinery would produce cellulose & Xylitol, an alternate sweetener in the first phase.This will be one of the few integrated cascading biorefineries in the world.
Godavari Biorefineries Limited increases production capacity to 50 million litres per year of fuel grade ethanol up from 15 million litres currently
Mar 21, 2016Godavari Biorefineries Limited has commissioned its expanded facility for dehydrated ethanol (fuel grade) manufacturing at Sameerwadi in Karnataka. With this expansion, the company has the capacity to make 50 million litres per year of fuel grade ethanol, up from 15 million litres currently. The expansion of the fully automated plant using Molecular Sieve Dehydration Technology was completed in 5 Months. The facility will use byproducts of their sugar manufacturing process as raw material.
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. is a biorefining company producing sugar, biofuels, chemicals, power, compost, waxes, and related products, using sugarcane as the primary feedstock. The company has manufacturing plants at Sameerwadi, Bagalkot district in Karnataka and Sakarwadi, Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra.
Samir Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director said, "The expansion, is an extension of our strategy to create more value from our renewable stocks. The expansion will help our greater participation in the blending Programme of the Government of India that mandates target of 5 percent blending of bio fuel with petrol.
The company had recently raised private equity from Mandala Capital, a part of which was for the setting up of this plant.
About Godavari Biorefineries Limited
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd., a member of the Somaiya Group, was established in 1939 and is one of the leading companies in the Indian sugar industry. It has sugar, power and chemical plants in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. expects a turnover exceeding Rs. 1,200 Crores for the year ended March 2016.
The company undertakes continuous research and innovates for making new products and entering new markets in order to derive maximum value from its feedstock. The company has been pioneers in the making of ethanol based chemicals and is now working on the utilisation of biomass to make a wider variety of products.
Click here to download the pdf file.
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. launches ‘Jivana Turmeric’
Jan 20, 2016Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. has entered the spices category under its food brand ‘Jivana’.Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. launches Jivana Turmeric after their successful foray with Jivana Classic Sugar, and Jivana Refined Iodised Salt.
Jivana turmeric is hygienic, pure, and rich in colour, flavor and texture with freshness intact.It stimulates protein digestion, and is an excellent blood purifier. The packages are available in 50gms, 100gms, 200gmsto cater to the demands of various segments. It will be available in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Karnataka.The turmeric is finely packed in high quality packaging material such that it maintains its freshness and nutritional value.
Jivana turmeric is manufactured and packed in Bisnal Village, Bagalkot
Speaking on the launch`Jivana Turmeric', “Mr. Samir Somaiya,CMD Godavari Biorefineries, said the company has come out with two productsJivana Sugar, andJivana refined iodised salt which are the two most basic ingredients used by the Indian housewives in their cooking.The company has gained valuable experience in the foods segment after the launch of `Jivana Salt and Jivana Sugar' and the entry into spices segment was a natural extension of the foray into the market”
About Godavari Biorefineries Ltd
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd is one of India’s leading and sustainable company producing sugar, other foods, biofuels, chemicals, power, compost, waxes, and related products, using sugarcane as the primary feedstock. Our aim is to engage in research and innovate by continuously making new products and entering new markets in order to derive the maximum value from our feedstock. Our research areas include sustainable farming, transformation of biomass (chemical, mechanical and biological), product development, and process optimization. Founded in 1939, we have been pioneers in the growing, processing, and utilization of biomass to make a wide variety of products.
We are now working on the next generation bagasse-based bio refinery and also the biotransformation of sugar to biopolymers.
For more information, email at: consumercare@somaiya.com or call on: 022-61702111
For more information, please visit: www.somaiya.com
For media queries: aarohancommunications2@gmail.com
Tel: Meera: 9821156976/ Shirin: 9769229595
Click here to download the pdf file.
K. J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies inaugurated its rural outreach program Jetavan, at Sakarwadi, Kopargoan, Maharashtra.
Jan 07, 2016K. J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies, a Somaiya Vidyavihar institute, announced the launch of Jetavan, a non-sectarian centre for spiritual practice and holistic development at Sakarwadi, Kopergaon.
Jetavan is an outreach project of the K. J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies. The project is inspired by the compassion of Ven. Dhammadipa, a Buddhist monk from the Czech Republic and built in partnership Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, the flagship company of the Somaiya group,
Jetavan will be a non-sectarian centre that will encourage spiritual practice and physical wellness among the local community at Sakarwadi. In addition, vocational training programmes will also be conducted to assist youngsters develop livelihood skills and achieve financial independence. Jetavan reflects our commitment at Somaiya Vidyavihar to underscore citizenship and community service, even as we provide avenues for career building to young students.
Jetavan, with an aim to contribute towards the development of the community at Sakarwadi, will host a variety of programs and gatherings - from diverse spiritual teachings to vocational training workshops. The program will be managed by K J Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies and implemented together with the various institutes of Somaiya Vidyavihar including its institutes teaching Sanskrit, Jainism, Yoga, and Vocational Training. Programs will be conducted under the guidance of academic experts.
Godavari Biorefineries Limited, the flagship company of the Somaiya Group, has provided land and funds for development of Jetavan and will continue to support the project as part of its community development program. GBL has supported the Buddhist community in the area by providing space for a library and earmarking a compound for community gatherings. Godavari Biorefineries has been engaged in community outreach at its locations in Maharashtra and Karnataka from inception and this experience will be invaluable in programming at Jetavan.
Says Samir Somaiya, President Somaiya Vidyavihar “For us, Jetavan, is our way of giving back to Society. Both GBL and Somaiya Vidyavihar have been working with the community in various ways. The aim of this initiative is to respond to the twin needs of the community at Sakarwadi – that of spiritual guidance and the need to improve economic well being. Education in spiritual knowledge and human values provides people of all backgrounds an opportunity to inculcate positive thoughts and attitudes. The spirit of inclusiveness, co-operation and warmth at Jetavan will make a qualitative change in their lives. At Somaiya Vidyavihar, we have education institutions that teach the academic study of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism in an inclusive and progressive manner. We are very happy to make this available to the people in and around Sakarwadi. The construction and architecture represents our commitment to the environment.”
The Chief Guest Ven. Dhammadipa conducted the inauguration ceremony which featured recitation of Buddhist chants, blessings by priests of various faiths amongst songs by children. Many of the community members and devotees joyfully and enthusiastically took part in the proceedings.
Says Ven. Dhammadipa, Jetavan is the result of the kindness and generosity of several people from India, China, Taiwan, Spain, USA, Germany and Czech. They have opened their hearts for the benefit of the community at Sakarwadi for the practice of the Dharma. I hope that the community in turn opens their hearts to receive this gift and make the project a success.
Jetavan has been designed by Sameep Padora and Associates an internationally awarded architectural firm from Mumbai. The complex was built by artisans from Hunnarshala Foundation from Bhuj in collaboration with the local construction teams. It has been constructed using natural materials and waste materials, so as to reduce the carbon footprint to the barest minimum possible. The constructions materials represent several innovations – such as use of quarry dust and fly ash (which is waste from the factory) to build the walls. 16 tons of old, used wood from the ship-breaking yard at Alang, Gujarat was used for the roof under-structure, over which mud-rolls have been placed. Old, used Mangalore tiles were then placed on top. The mud-rolls will ensure comfort in terms of temperature in the interiors. The roof is inverted, so that light comes in at an angle from the top and those inside the building can only see tree tops and the sky outside.
Activities planned at Jetavan
- A large hall will serve for meditation practice and for religious ceremonies. Ven Dhammadipa will travel to Sakarwadi once every couple of years to personally guide meditation practice and deliver teachings from Buddhist texts. K J Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies will draw upon its connections in diverse Buddhist traditions to invite members of the Sangha to Jetavan for Dharma teachings.
- Buddhist Centre faculty and students from the various courses will help conduct courses on Pali language and texts as also introductory courses on Buddhism that explain the history and philosophical aspects of this great Indian tradition.
- Faculty and students from K J Somaiya Bhartiya Sanskriti Peetham and the K J Somaiya Centre for Studies in Jainism will read and explain texts and encourage discussion and debate on spiritual development in a supportive environment.
- Recognising that economic growth is a primary concern, Somaiya Vidyavihar will support training programs for local youth in vocational skills –such as carpentry. There will also be training provided in matters of simple hygiene and health care.
For further information please contact –
Daisy Katta | 982072419 | pr2@aarohancommunications.com
Bhavika Jain | 9969840328 | pr1@aarohancommunications.com
Click here to download the pdf file.
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. Launches ‘Jivana Iodised Salt’
Oct 02, 2015Homemakers can now benefit from both Jivana sugar and Jivana salt.
After the success of the Jivana Classic Sugar, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. has launched Jivana Refined Iodised Salt. Both Jivana salt & sugar are certified under Food Safety Standard Authority India (FSSAI)
Jivana Iodised salt comes from Kutch and is harvested from saltpans using safe & natural solar evaporation methods that help retain the required goodness of iodine. It is also enriched with macro minerals like magnesium and calcium that are vital for physical and mental health.
The salt is available in one kg packs across the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat and expanding.
Jivana Classic Sugar, is hygienic, unadulterated, pure sugar, manufactured using automated production processes. The medium-‐sized sugar crystals are extracted from the first and best juice of each stalk of cane, guaranteeing the right amount of sweetness each time. It comes from Godavari Biorefineries Ltd., a sugar refinery in Karnataka operating for over 75 years.
Jivana Classic sugar is available in one kg and five kg packs in 1600 stores across Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Udaipur, and few other towns of Rajasthan.
The food division of the group will focus on branded food products and food additives.
About Godavari Biorefineries Ltd
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd is one of India’s leading and sustainable manufacturer of foods, biofuels, specialty chemicals, power, compost, waxes, and related products, using sugarcane as the primary feedstock.
For more information, email at: consumercare@somaiya.com or call on: 022-61702111
For more information, please visit: www.somaiya.com
Click here to download the pdf file.
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. Raises $15 Million (Rs. 90 Crore) From Mandala Capital
May 12, 2015Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, (“Godavari”), one of India’s leading and sustainable manufacturers of foods, biofuels, specialty chemicals, power and related products, using sugarcane as the primary feedstock, today announced that it has raised $ 15 million (Rs 90 Crore) in equity, from funds managed by Mandala Capital.
This investment in research and innovation to address the Global needs for Green products and Chemicals is part of Godavari’s strategy to enhance returns by strengthening the portfolio of higher-‐margin products to address the significant and growing demand for chemical products made from renewable feedstock. Godavari’s strength in manufacturing and expertise in renewable feedstock provides high yields and low conversion costs.
In recent years, Godavari has been following a strategy focused on creating higher value than its peers globally from every unit of its feedstock, be it sugarcane, molasses, ethyl alcohol, bagasse, or, in the future, any other biomass. In pursuit of its vision to increase the current level of extracted value, Godavari has been investing heavily in innovation, research and collaboration in the production of sugar, power and ethanol and in the manufacture of value added, complex chemicals derived from ethanol as well as the waste products of the sugar refining process.
The funds invested by Mandala Capital will be used for Phase I of this strategy, which involves a new manufacturing plant for specialty chemicals, an increased capacity for ethanol production, debottlenecking of existing plants and strengthening the company’s utility infrastructure. It will also fund an expanded facility for research and development.
Godavari has a current capacity to manufacture over 70 million liters of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and is among the larger producers of ethanol in India. It is a pioneer in the use of ethanol as a feedstock for the production of chemicals and is among a handful globally, to make and sell chemicals from ethanol. Some of the chemicals it manufactures currently include acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, crotonaldehyde, MPO, paraldehyde, and other specialty chemicals, often providing an alternative, renewable source of supply to oil-‐based petrochemicals. Godavari’s products find applications in paints, printing inks, pharmaceuticals, flexible packaging, fragrances and cosmetics. Godavari is a preferred supplier to a wide number of Indian companies, and global multinationals such as Hindustan Coca-‐Cola Beverages Limited, BASF and others including some of the world’s leading companies in the beverage, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, fragrances and chemicals sectors.
Samir Somaiya, Chairman, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. said, “Research and sustainability is at the core of all that we do. Our focus is on developing new production processes to manufacture specialty and high performance chemicals using biomass as raw materials within the value chain. For us, innovation in green chemistry is a source of growth and expansion for the company as well as our commitment to the triple bottom line of social, ecological and financial gain.”
Uday Garg, CEO of Mandala Capital said, “We have followed the progress of Mr. Samir Somaiya and his team at Godavari for several years and witnessed firsthand the transformation of the Company from a traditional sugar business into an integrated bio refinery. The “more value per ton” strategy is ambitious and innovative. Early successes in supplying complex chemicals to the exacting requirements of global players demonstrate the viability of the process chemistry being developed by Godavari, its impact to the bottom line and the ability of the team to innovate sustainable solutions for customers on a commercial basis.”
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. a member of the Somaiya Group, was established in 1939 and is one of the leading companies in the Indian Sugar Industry. It has sugar, ethanol, power and chemical plants in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Godavari expects a turnover exceeding Rs. 1,200 crores for the year ended March 2016.
Godavari believes in pursuing the triple bottom line in its approach to doing business. All of this is powered by innovation. The company is working with its farmers to ensure soil health, water use efficiency, and intercropping, to enable the farmer to earn better returns while at the same time, keep the earth healthy for the long term. Godavari also works by creating social infrastructure for education in the area that it serves.
Mandala Capital Ltd. manages private equity funds that invest in companies focused on the agribusiness sector in the Indian subcontinent.
Click here to download the pdf file.
