AGRICULTURAL ALCOHOL, AN INDUSTRY OF EXCELLENCE
A rich, plant-based resource
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an organic molecule derived from the alcoholic fermentation of plant-based materials, such as cereal or sugar beet.
Used for more than 4,000 years in fermented beverages, ethyl alcohol was already known by ancient civilisations, including those of the pharaohs. Production has since evolved from artisanal production to a modern, innovative industry committed to sustainability.
Agricultural alcohol is derived from renewable plant-based resources, and plays a key role in the circular economy. Il combine performances économiques et respect de l’environnement tout en répondant aux besoins d’un marché mondial en constante évolution.
Harnessing the synergy of plants
Supporting food security
Producing agricultural alcohol also means capitalising on crops while preserving food security One of the great things about plants is that crops grown for food can also have other uses, such as energy production.
In the event of a major food crisis, some of the resources allocated to bioethanol production can be used as a back-up food supply. In the event of a major food crisis, some of the resources allocated to bioethanol production can be used as a back-up food supply.
Ethanol by-products are also used in animal feed, such as fibre-rich beet pulp and protein-rich distiller grains of high nutritional value. These can replace soybean meal imported from
areas at risk of deforestation. This contributes to the efficient, sustainable management of farming resources. This contributes to the efficient, sustainable management of farming resources.
Energy-optimised distilleries
Manufacturing processes implemented in the agricultural alcohol industry are fully optimised.L’industrie de l’alcool agricole repose sur une optimisation complète des processus de production. Heat generated during distillation can, for example, be used to dry by-products, thus reducing energy consumption.
n can, for example, be used to dry by-products, thus reducing energy consumption. This optimised management enhances the agricultural industries’ competitive edge while slashing their environmental footprint. Depending on local conditions, beet pulp can contribute to energy production (methanation or combustion).
Ethanol by-products are also used in animal feed, such as fibre-rich beet pulp and protein-rich distiller grains of high nutritional value. These can replace soybean meal imported from
areas at risk of deforestation. This contributes to the efficient, sustainable management of farming resources.
Les sucreries et amidonneries sont au cœur de cette filière. They process raw materials rich in sugars (sugar beets) or starch (wheat, corn) into products intended for food and industry, notably agricultural alcohol, which enables the valorization of their co-products, residues, and waste.
Factories that process wheat or corn directly generate the same tonnage of high-protein animal feed as they do ethanol. All distilleries generate as much biogenic CO₂ as they do alcohol.