7th July 2023

Alcoholera de Zapopan, a mill and distillery in Mexico producing ethanol, has achieved certification against version 4.2 of the Bonsucro Production Standard. It’s the first distillery in Mexico to achieve Bonsucro certification. It has also achieved certification against the Chain of Custody Standard.    

Alcoholera de Zapopan was established in its current form in 1991, though its history of producing ethanol for commercial purposes stretches back to the years after the Mexican Revolution. Employing over 200 people, its distillery (Comercializadora el Ingenio) has a monthly production capacity of three million litres of ethanol.     

Growth in Bonsucro-certified ethanol   

Ethanol is a key component in many different products, from beauty products to alcoholic beverages, and the global ethanol market has grown by approximately 33% over the last decade.   

Our certification data shows that in 2021, the production volume of Bonsucro-certified ethanol was 3.82 million m³, up by 19% on 2020 volumes. We’ve also seen increased interest in Bonsucro from different sectors that buy ethanol, with new memberships from beauty brands and companies using bioplastics. This year, we expect to see greater growth in membership from the biomaterials and rum sectors.  

A drive for certification 

Alcoholera de Zapopan’s journey to certification was a natural outcome of its desire to boost sustainability in its practices, across the social, economic, and environmental components of the organisation. These pillars match naturally with Bonsucro’s strategic areas of focus.    

There was also a drive for certification from its international commercial clients, including major rum producers and two beauty brands. Across the beauty industry, brands are increasingly sourcing sustainable ingredients and packaging to meet growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly and ethical products. Sourcing certified ethanol is a way to demonstrate a brand’s commitment to sustainability, increasing the importance of certification for sugarcane producers and distilleries.     

“Being certified by Bonsucro will bring us benefits since important clients have the same commitment and our relationships add value to both” says Humberto Romero Valencia, General Manager at Alcoholera de Zapopan.    

Changes made to achieve certification 

Alcoholera de Zapopan already had quality and safety management systems in place, but these were developed to comply with Bonsucro’s standards. The team held specialised training for staff to develop their understanding and ability to implement the standards.     

This included ensuring that resources are used rationally and carefully, to improve their environmental and economic impact, and ensuring that compliance with the Bonsucro standards could be demonstrated through accurate documentation and records.     

Achieving certification required a shared vision and collaboration across the organisation. The quality, safety, and internal audit committees all played essential roles in ensuring that the standards were complied with, and that certification would be successful.    

Carrying changes forward    

Continuous improvement is a central pillar of Bonsucro certification. Alcoholera de Zapopan already has plans in place to renew its sustainability commitments and practices, in order to remain competitive in a market that is increasingly focussed on proving sustainability credentials. “Without this vision [of continuous improvement], there is the inevitable risk of non-sustainability and therefore the failure of organisations” says Mr Valencia.   

But Alcoholera de Zapopan’s certification certainly makes the company an attractive proposition for buyers, as their newly certified ethanol enters the market every month.    

If you’re a sugarcane producer, mill or distillery in Mexico, who would like to learn more about how you can benefit from Bonsucro certification, contact our Country Manager for Mexico, Benjamin Sandoval.