CORPORATE WINDOW: Looking towards ethanol

Liquid biofuels derived from renewable sources such as edible and non-edible oils and animal fats provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based fuels. These biofuels can be easily blended with diesel and gasoline (petrol) for use in existing engines, typically up to a certain percentage, without requiring engine modifications. Among biofuels, ethanol is particularly notable and is produced on a large scale in several countries from energy crops such as maize (corn), sugarcane, rice, barley, sweet sorghum and other biomass materials like straw, grass and wood. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey, Pakistan’s transport sector consumed approximately 13.6 million metric tonnes (MMT) of petroleum products in the fiscal year 2023-24. To meet this demand, the country imported 5.28 MMT of gasoline and 2.37 MMT of diesel oil during the same period.