About us
Chairman
Peter Starling has been a leader in the South African ethanol industry for more than four decades. Peter currently serves as Executive Chairman of AlcoNCP (Pty) Ltd, one of South Africa's leading ethanol producers, based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Vice Chairman
Haydn Rencken has been involved in the Southern African ethanol industry for more than two decades. Haydn currently holds the position of Managing Director of USA Distillers (Pty) Ltd, an ethanol distillery based in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
ETHANOL PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
The Association currently consists of 5 members and their capacities and ethanol type are tabulated below.
Further background information on each member follows below that
ILLOVO SUGAR - MEREBANK
This sugar producing corporate has a downstream operation at Merebank where its own molasses is converted to ethanol and other products. The distillery commenced operation in 1915 and was known as The Natal Cane By Products. Later it became C G Smith and today is known as Illovo Sugar SA – Merebank.
Alco NCP
AlcoNCP (Pty) Ltd is an ethanol producer based in Durban,
KwaZulu-Natal, and forms part of the international Alcogroup. The
company operates from a historic distillery site on the banks of the
Umgeni River, where ethanol production dates back to 1868. In 2021, the facility underwent a major expansion, investing in
modern manufacturing technologies and transitioned from sugar
cane-derived feedstock to maize. Today, AlcoNCP produces high-purity grain-neutral potable and
industrial ethanol for beverage, pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and
industrial applications and Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles
(DDGS), a high-protein animal feed ingredient generated through the
ethanol production process.
Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation
The Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation Limited (RESC) is located in north-eastern Eswatini and operates two sugar mills and a refinery. The company produces two-thirds of the country’s sugar, and ethanol from its 32 000 kilolitre per annum capacity distillery adjacent to its Simunye sugar mill. Most of the ethanol is exported as potable grade, as Eswatini has a preferential status in the European Union. RESC is listed on the Eswatini Stock Exchange.
SASOL SOUTH AFRICA
Sasol Limited has operations at Secunda and Sasolburg in South Africa, and various sites in Europe, USA and Asia. Sasol Ethylol 95 is a synthetic, fully denatured, industrial grade ethanol which is produced in the Sasol Fischer Tropsch process in Secunda South Africa. This stream is purified to produce high purity ethanol as well as various grades of synthetic ethanol which are marketed locally and internationally. Sasol high purity ethanol is used in pharmaceutical applications as well as hand sanitizer production. Sasol ethanol products are also used in inks, paints, coatings, surface sanitizer and adhesives applications.
USA Distillers
USA Distillers is an independently owned distillery that has been operating since 2000. Strategically located on the banks of the Great Usuthu River in the Kingdom of Eswatini’s sugar producing region, the distillery benefits from its close proximity to a sugar mill, which provides a reliable supply of molasses—the primary raw material used in its production process.
The distillery’s principal product is high-quality potable alcohol, which is supplied to both regional and international markets. Its strategic location, access to key raw materials, and established production capabilities position USA Distillers as a reliable supplier to customers across a diverse range of markets.
The distillery’s principal product is high-quality potable alcohol, which is supplied to both regional and international markets. Its strategic location, access to key raw materials, and established production capabilities position USA Distillers as a reliable supplier to customers across a diverse range of markets.