Proposal to include a mannitol line in the UEB “Ignacio Agramonte”

Abstract

In this work, a study is carried out to propose the inclusion of a mannitol line in the “Ignacio Agramonte” Base Business Unit (UEB), using fructose as raw material, considering the great availability of fructose in our country in comparison to glucose, which currently presents reserve problems. With this, economic benefits are obtained from the sale of a greater quantity of sorbitol and the inclusion of mannitol to the national market. The main advantage of this proposal is that the economic losses due to production stoppages (lack of glucose) and import of sorbitol or mannitol are partially eliminated. The economic evaluation of the proposed system was carried out based on Hand’s method, resulting in an investment cost of 81 000 CUC. Other indicators were also calculated such as the net present value that was positive, the capital recovery period of 2,46 years, a discounted capital recovery period of 3,42 years, an internal rate of return of 29 % and a return on investment of 40,6 %.