The economics of ethanol manufacture from molasses and cereals

The processes for the production of potable and anhydrous ethanol from both cane molasses and cereals are described. product and feedstock qualities are provided and usage rates to enable the calculation of variable costs. Current capital and overhead costs are used, together with product prices, to calculate key economic criteria. Using a 10-year cash flow period, internal rates of return, payback periods and net present values are compared for three distillery options.