Dear Shareholders,
The world entered further uncertainty with the conflict in the Middle
East. This only adds 'fuel' to the continuing war in Europe which continues to affect
millions of lives and livelihoods. We do hope that good sense prevails and that the world
finds peace and returns to normal.
Climate Change is a reality. The world continues to rely on fossil
resources to meet its needs of energy and materials. If we are to successfully combat
climate change, the world will have to start reducing its dependence on fossil resources
and undertake a 'green transition' by increasing reliance on renewable resources.
This imperative is now being recognized by the whole world. The world
is looking at renewable and sustainable ways of making products to combat climate change.
Governments, Corporations and consumers are showing this direction by implementing
regulations, making boardroom commitments and making individual choices that now are
hastening the process to a lower carbon economy and a path to net zero.
Mission Innovation, an initiative of 23 countries and the European
Commission, has been formed under which there is a special focus on the Integrated
Biorefineries. This sub group is led by India and the Netherlands . We were invited to
present our case to members of the Dutch Government.
In this transition, access to biomass is important. Our history of many
decades of procuring sugarcane provides us access to biomass. Our research scientists and
engineers provide us with the knowledge to transform the biomass to foods, energy and
biochemicals. Our access to customers globally allows us to partner with them to make
specialty bio-based chemicals to help this green transition.
In pursuit of our objectives, our chemical division has been working on
a strategy to make ethanol and bagasse based chemicals to achieve this transition. In this
process we are developing products ourselves to make this vision a reality.
Chemicals
Godavari Biorefineries has been a pioneer in the use of Sustainable and
Renewable Resources to produce bio-based chemicals. Bio-based chemicals are a large
portion of our product mix about one third of our business and are a growth opportunity.
We have identified new specialty chemicals to make and/or expand. Our strategy is to add
value to our feedstock, and its related biomass. To convert biomass into value added
products, chemically, physically or biologically.
As a result of our efforts, we continue to make a diversified product
mix. The chart below shows the distribution of our business by product in 2024. The
ethanol and chemical business now comprise more than 65% of the business and are both
sectors that are posed for growth.
We continue to make more value added chemicals from renewable
resources. Customers have expressed renewed and strong interest in sourcing products that
are renewable, sustainable, and adhering to the 'green chemistry' principles. Customers
globally are demanding more sustainable and renewable products with a lower carbon
footprint. In turn, companies are taking a fresh look at their supply chains to adapt to
this new reality and mitigate climate change. Our close cooperation with many of the large
companies to develop and produce products for them is helping us sustain and grow our
pipeline for new products.
This past year, I am pleased to say that the company inaugurated a new
specialty chemical plant to make some of the chemicals described above. This specialty
chemical plant was inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Shri Prof. M. M. Sharma. He complimented
the company for its strategy of developing and manufacturing Specialty chemicals from
renewable resources. The Consul General of The Netherlands was also present to grace the
occasion. This new chemical facility will help us to continue on in our journey of
creating a world class cascading biorefinery and make chemicals that these customers need.
Sugar and Ethanol
The Government of India has achieved 15% blending of ethanol under the
Ethanol Blending Programme. The Government of India is strongly encouraging and monitoring
the programme to have 20% blending. This policy meets three goals:
1.It supplements energy security.
2. Addresses climate change
3. Ensures stability in farmer incomes
In view of El Nino and an anticipated lower crop of sugar, the
Government temporarily stopped the diversion of sugarcane juice/syrup to make ethanol
(although production of ethanol from B and C molasses continued). However, the sugar
production was better than expected and India has comfortablesugar stocks. In view of La
Nina and a consequent better monsoon, the Government is likely to restore the ethanol
blending programme from sugarcane juice.
We have successfully commissioned the expansion in crushing capacity at
Sameerwadi from 15,000 tcd to more than 18,000 tcd. We also completed our expansion of our
rectified spirits facility to 600,000 lpd. We diverted over 27% of our sugar in cane to
ethanol.
Making More Ethanol
Since we want to increase the capacity utilisation of the ethanol
facility, we had applied for and received permission to make 200,000 lpd of ethanol from
grain, maize etc. This will help diversify risk by having an alternative feedstock
especially since the farmers around our mill also grow maize.
We have also received environment clearance to expand our capacity to
one million litres of rectified spirits and crush 25,000 tons of sugarcane per day.
2G Ethanol, Bio-CNG, and Potash
We have always spoken about a bolt-on model for 2G ethanol. We have
done much research on the same. We had applied to the Government of India under the Prime
Minister's JI-VAN Yojana for a grant to demonstrate the same. I am pleased to say that we
have been awarded the grant. Once we start valorising bagasse, we can in phases make
speciality chemicals from the same.
The Government is also promoting the use of press mud to make Bio CNG
in its effort to be more 3fftcrivf*fj . We are also exploring this opportunity.
Potash: Your Company plans to implement the production of SOP (Sulphate
of Potash) which is a valuable fertiliser to the farmer as it improves the quality and
crop yields. SOP is considered a premium- quality potash that makes plants more resilient
to drought, frost, insects and even disease. We have been able to extract potash from the
waste of the incinerator boiler. A successful commissioning of the same will result in a
circular economy in Potash. Farm, process, extract, recycle and so on.
Foods
Jivana
Our Jivana brand is doing well, with the business under the brand
having quadrupled over the past three years. Recently, we launched two new products -
Mirchi and Dhaniya.
Drug Discovery
Oncology
We have received approval dated November 20, 2023, from CDSCO (through
M/s Clinexel Life Sciences Private Limited) to undertake clinical trials on the next
cohort as part of the healthy adult volunteers' study. We have accordingly in
2023 initiated phase one of our clinical trials on patients with advanced solid tumors and
also initiated trials in relation to the healthy adult volunteers' study. We
have received a grant in February 2024 from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance
Council ("BIRAC") in this regard.
Awards and Recognition
I am delighted to say that your company has been awarded the major
following awards:
Best Technical Efficiency Award - S Nijalingappa Sugar Institute (SNSI)
For the Crushing Season 2023 - Awarded by Hon'ble minister Shri
Shivanand Patil, Dr.Richard Vincent D'souza - C&I Secretary, Shri. Ravikumar - Cane
Commissioner Bengaluru and Dr. Khandgave - Director SNSI Belgaum.
Indian Federation of Green Energy
Our Company received the "4th India Green Energy Award" in
the category of "Bioenergy Outstanding Chemical Process Based Project-Ethanol"
Award was given by Shri Nitin Gadkari Union Cabinet Minister of Road Transport and
Highways.
Director of Factories - Government of Karnataka
'Best Safety Award in the Sugar Factory Category (2023-24)' for all
Karnataka. There are more than 70 sugar mills in Karnataka and I am pleased that our
company has won this award.
South Indian Sugar Technologists Association:
Based on our inputs provided to SISSTA regarding our cane development
activities undertaken, we have been informed that we will be awarded with the Silver award
for the "Best Distillery (2023-24)" for Karnataka on the 19th of August, 2024
Sugar and Ethanol International Awards 2024
Philanthropist of the Sugar Industry Award - Awarded to me personally.
I am pleased to inform you that I was invited to speak at:
1. In March 2024, The Dubai Conference - I spoke at the The Leaders
Form - Seizing the Moment: Towards a Manifesto for Action
2. In July 2024, At the 64th ISO Conference India 2024 held in New
Delhi, I was invited to speak on 'Sustainability through Diversification'.
3. In July 2024, Representatives of the Dutch Government from
Agriculture, Economics and The Environment invited me for a discussion on 'Sustainable
Value Chains'.
Soil Health, the Farm, and the Farmer
We continue to work closely with the farmer. We are inextricably linked
together. Our aim is to see that the farmer and the farm are healthy. To do this, we
continue to work on introducing drip irrigation, intercropping, soil testing, subsequent
supply of quality inputs, supply of tissue culture plantlets, and agronomic practices for
achieving high yield. We collaborate with KIAAR, K J Somaiya Institute of Applied
Agriculture Research, to demonstrate new techniques that would improve productivity,
optimise resource use, and maintain soil fertility. Our experiments on using older and
traditional techniques and modern science with KIAAR have shown good results.
Soil health has been deteriorating the world over. We have started a
major effort in collaboration with Somaiya Vidyavihar University, KIAAR and Michigan State
University to work on improving soil health and soil carbon in our area of operation.
IPO
We have also filed the Draft Red Herring Prospectus for raising equity
and doing a public listing. Conclusion
In closing, these are tough times. There is much geopolitical
uncertainty in the world. Climate change is forcing companies to change and alter their
purchasing habits and their carbon footprint. In India the Government is continuing to
create a welcoming environment for renewable energy. We are working to continue to
transition and grow our business in these interesting times.
Samir Somaiya |
Chairman and Managing Director (2023-24) |