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Energy diversification of beet sugar production as a factor in increasing its economic sustainability
The article analyzes the world experience in the production and use of bioethanol, highlights the role of market leaders (USA, Brazil, EU) and substantiates the prospects for the development of this industry in Ukraine. The author justifies the energy diversification of beet sugar production through the development of bioethanol production as a key factor in increasing the economic sustainability of enterprises in the industry. It has been established that the constant fluctuations in production observed in the Ukrainian sugar market over the past decades lead, respectively, to price fluctuations for sugar. In deficit years, high demand for sugar stimulates beet-growing enterprises to increase the sown areas, as a result of which overproduction occurs, sugar prices decrease, its producers suffer losses, and sugar beet producers reduce the crops under root crops. As a result, a deficit is formed, so prices on the domestic market increase again, and beet-growing enterprises again increase the sown areas under this crop. It is argued that to ensure the economic sustainability of the beet-sugar subcomplex and the country's food security, it is advisable to diversify beet-sugar production, in particular, organize the production of bioethanol from intermediate products at the facilities of sugar and alcohol factories. The main options for cooperation between sugar and alcohol production for the production of bioethanol from beet juice are highlighted: the sugar factory produces only purified diffusion juice; the sugar factory processes sugar beets into sugar with the production of excess diffusion juice, which is supplied to the alcohol factory for processing into bioethanol; a line for processing sugar beets into diffusion juice is installed at the alcohol factory together with a juice purification department. The author substantiates the economic feasibility of producing bioethanol from molasses, as well as the possibility of processing diffusion juice into biofuel, provided that modern energy-saving technology is used for its processing. It was concluded that for the further development of the domestic beet sugar subcomplex, it is necessary to implement the proposed options for energy diversification of beet sugar production, which will contribute to the implementation of the state energy strategy of Ukraine, aimed at fulfilling international obligations and developing renewable energy, reducing the country's dependence on imports of light petroleum products, restoring the functioning and extending the life of sugar and alcohol plants, increasing the level of utilization of their production capacities, creating additional jobs and improving the state of the environment.
Keywords: sugar beets, sugar, biofuels, bioethanol, diversification, beet sugar production, economic sustainability.
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