Asahi develops new bioethanol technology

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. recently announced that it has developed a new bioethanol production technology using sugarcane, which is designed to improve the sugar production efficiency of the crop. It was developed jointly by Asahi and the state-backed National Agriculture and Food Research Organization’s Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, based in Kumamoto Prefecture, in southwestern Japan.
 
With this new technology, cultivation of sugarcane is expected to accelerate, thus boosting the production of sugarcane-derived ethanol. Under the presently used conventional method, sugar is first refined and leftover molasses are used to produce ethanol. Under the new method, sugar, contained in sugarcane, is converted into ethanol before refining sugar. Refiners will therefore be able to easily control the balance of ethanol and sugar production.
 
While Asahi plans to put the technology into practical use by 2015, it is also looking at investing in a sugar refinery as part of its efforts to commercialize the technology. Demand for bioethanol is expected to grow as crude oil prices rise, and worldwide population growth is also expected to drive up global sugar demand. (October 9, 2012)