Sentini Bioproducts (P) Ltd has approached the Ministry of Environment and Forests for environmental clearance for inclusion of molasses as raw material for its grain-based distillery unit at Gandepalli in Andhra Pradesh\'s Krishna district.

The company said it wants to produce 125 KLD of rectified, extra neutral alcohol and ethanol from molasses as raw material in addition to grain (maize, jowar and broken rice).

The capital cost of the unit is Rs 41 crore.

According to the company there is no permanent or temporary change in land use, land cover or topography including increase in intensity of land use.

\"This is an existing plant and the proposal is for inclusion of molasses as raw material. Additional facilities are storage for molasses, modification in fermentor and multiple effect evaporators,\" it said.

The company said there are no defence installation, biosphere reserve, national park or wildlife sanctuary and ecologically-sensitive area within 10 km radius of the project site.

According to the company, attempts shall be made to minimise the effluent generation, solid wastes, air emissions and noise etc.

According to the company, there will be no adverse effect on water environment due to the project.