BAJAJ HINDUSTHAN SUGAR LTD. BOTH SWEET AND SOUR

The growth of sugar and ethanol producer Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited has been amazing with a significant expansion phase from 2003 to 2007 that led to the creation of eight new plants, elevating the total cane crushing capacity to 96,000 tonnes per day. However, there are certain challenging dynamics that need to be overcome

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Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited (BHSL) was established on November 23, 1931, initially known as Hindusthan Sugar Mills Limited. Founded by Jamnalal Bajaj in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi, the company’s creation aimed to boost industrial growth in India, given the limited number of sugar mills at the time. The first plant was set up in Gola Gokaran Nath, Uttar Pradesh, with a capacity of 400 tonnes of cane crushed per day. Over the years, this capacity expanded to 13,000 tonnes per day. In 1988, the company’s name was changed to Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited and it merged with Sharda Sugar and Industries Limited in 1990.

A significant expansion phase from 2003 to 2007 led to the creation of eight new plants, elevating the total cane crushing capacity to 96,000 tonnes per day. The acquisition of Pratappur Sugar and Industries Limited (PSIL) and its subsequent doubling of capacity enhanced BHSL’s position and established it as a major ethanol producer. Further expansions included the establishment of additional sugar units and power cogeneration plants, making BHSL a substantial power generator.

Today, BHSL has 14 sugar plants having an aggregate crushing capacity of 136,000 TCD, six distilleries with aggregate capacity of 800 KL per day and about 151 MW of surplus power. Furthermore, BHSL’s revenue is derived from three main segments: sugar manufacturing (76 per cent), industrial alcohol production (12 per cent) and power generation based on bagasse (11 per cent). As of FY23, BHSL has a market share of about 3.93 per cent in India and 12.29 per cent in Uttar Pradesh.

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