A total of 35.000 tons of sugar per year from melasma - MK Group invests EUR 20 mil in their new Pecinci-based section

(Photo: sunoko.rs)

The first section for production of sugar from melasma in Serbia will start operating in early 2014 in sugar plant Sunoko in Pecinci. The MK company decided to invest EUR 20 mil in the section and the investment, as they say for eKapija, should pay back already within five years.

- The melasma-processing section will be placed within the Pecinci-based production center. The construction has already started. We are expecting significant savings, more than EUR 4 mil per year which means that the investment pay back period is five years. Since 2003 we have invested EUR 70 mil so that it became the most modern and most efficient sugar plant in Europe- Ljubisa Radenkovic, director of Sunoko, the company operating within the MK Group, says for eKapija.

Melasma is a by-product in the sugar production process and is most commonly used in alcohol and yeast. However, as our collocutor says, these technologies enable additional sugar extraction from melasma.

- Although it is a big investment, we opted for a new step in sugar production. So far in Serbia, there has not been sugar production from melasma. However, there are a couple of plants in Europe using this or similar technology. The most modern technology for melasma processing which we will use in Pecinci-based sugar plant is a combination of French-Finish equipment as well as the design companies we cooperate with – Radenkovic mentions.

This year, Sunoko will produce some 80.000 tons of melasma in its plants in Vrbas, Pecinci and Kovacica. It will be processed in new Pecinci-based section. The facility will enable exploitation of 80% of sugar from melasma which originates after sugar beet processing.

- Sugar production requires bug investments. Every sugar plant costs some EUR 150-200 mil when it comes to investments. In the best sugar plant we have bought so far, we decreased energy costs by 80%. A total forecast pf annual sugar processing capacity in MK Group sugar plants is at the level of some 400.000 tons. The plan is that Sunoko generates additional 35.000 tons of sugar per year.

In mid October, MK Group signed an agreement wit the German Association for Investments and Development (DEG). The Serbian company thus became indebted with EUR 50 mil in order to develop its agricultural production and increase energy efficiency. A total of EUR 20 mil will be set aside for melasma processing section.

What is mealsma?

Melasma originates in the refined sugar production from sugarbeat. Melasma is a compact liquid of dark brown or dark green color, of specific sense and of sweet taste.

Apart from high percentage of sugar, melasma contains a whole range of highly nutritive vitamins, fat acids, proteins as well as rich aroma which boosts food consummation with animals.

Melasma is used in production of alcohol and yeast, factories for production of cattle food, at animal farms as a supplement in feeding. Some of those promoting healthy food recommend usage of melasma as a sweetener instead of sugar.

S.O.