Nordzucker Post 04/2020 - 10 August 2020

Covid 19 – Bioethanol dispensed for disinfectants

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, when protective equipment and disinfectants were scarce, Nordzucker supplied available quantities of bioethanol to pharmacies as well as other companies for the production of disinfectants. 

The Nordzucker plant for the sustainable bioethanol production of sugar beet in Klein Wanzleben is located in the middle of the sugar beet cultivation area, with existing logistics infrastructure and a sugar factory right next door. The plant has a production capacity of 130,000 cubic meters per year. The bioethanol is loaded and then transported to customers in railway tank wagons as a block train or is loaded into road tankers. In the initial corona phase, deliveries to the pharmacies were made, within the framework of granted exemptions, additionally in 1,000 l plastic containers (IBCs) that were otherwise unusual for us. On site at the plants, we supported further bottling into smaller containers. Requests from pharmacies and other enquiries could be served flexibly during this challenging time with a lot of pragmatism as well as with our usual dedication.

Before the new campaign, bioethanol production from thick juice is planned, followed by production during the beet campaign.

With the plant in Klein Wanzleben, Nordzucker markets bioethanol in the fuel market and as industrial alcohol. The share of sales for industrial alcohol is up to 25 percent. Through the use in E5 and E10 gasoline, bioethanol also makes a significant contribution to saving greenhouse gas emissions in traffic.