Fuel alcohol production in Honduras : a technical and economic analysis

Thus concludes this study, which examines the technical and economic aspects of diverting sugar from sale on the world market to alcohol production. Successive chapters review: (1) technology options for ethanol facilities; (2) the specific attributes of Honduras" eight sugar mills as candidates for annexed distilleries (stressing mill size and characteristics, location relative to alcohol markets, and availability of markets for byproducts); (3) the costs and benefits of distillery investments, i.e., likely internal rates of return under a variety of market price conditions, the implications of different investment terms, and impacts on foreign exchange; (4) implementation issues (risk and benefit sharing within the industry, the roles of the private and public sectors, financing, and domestic subsidies); and (5) employment in the sugar cane industry and the implications of an ethanol program for the rural economy. Recommendations are contained in each section and offered in summary. Appendices present information on the potential dedication of a sugar factory to alcohol, the U.S. alcohol market and trade issues, sugar company profiles, and financial data tables.