Our History | Ingenio El Pilar – Sugar Industry Excellence

Origins and Initial Installation

The mill had its beginnings between 1976 and 1978, when a complete sugar mill was dismantled and relocated from the United States. During this period, all the necessary civil works for its installation were carried out. In April 1979, the first production test was conducted, achieving a total of 149,185 quintals of sugar. This milestone marked the start of the mill’s operations, demonstrating its viability and laying the foundation for future growth.

First Harvest and Initial Expansions

The first official harvest took place during the 1979–1980 season, with a production of 633,155 quintals of sugar. At that time, the installed daily milling capacity was 4,000 tons of sugarcane.

In the following years, successive expansions were carried out, gradually increasing this capacity to 10,000 tons per day. These improvements reflected a strong commitment to efficiency and adaptability to the demands of the sugar market.

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Major Expansion and Modernization

Starting in 1997, Ingenio El Pilar underwent a significant investment phase for expansion. A tandem of five modern Australian Walkers mills was acquired, along with three boilers, evaporator vessels, and centrifuges. These additions increased the installed daily milling capacity to 20,000 tons of sugarcane, positioning the mill as one of the most advanced in its sector.

Incorporation of Renewable Energy

In 2010, a 22.8-megawatt turbogenerator was installed to produce electricity from the bagasse generated during the milling process. This initiative not only optimizes the use of byproducts, but also contributes to supplying renewable and affordable energy to Guatemalans, promoting environmental sustainability and regional energy development.

Current Innovations and Sustainable Projects

At present, Ingenio El Pilar is evaluating and advancing various sustainability-focused projects, taking a comprehensive approach that includes social, agricultural, and factory operational aspects. These efforts aim to optimize resources, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen relationships with the surrounding community, incorporating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).