India’s ‘first’ second generation bio-refinery goes official

India’s first integrated bio-refinery for renewable fuels and chemicals has been inaugurated by the country’s minister for road transport, highways and shipping, Nitin Gadkari. Implemented by Indian process and project engineering company Praj Industries, the new facility will play a vital role in accelerating the country’s ethanol blending program.

The new advanced bio-refinery boasts integrated production capability of one million litres a year of ethanol from a variety of biomass. The plant, located in Pune, India, is built on Praj’s proprietary platform technology, enfinity, which allows the manufacture of ethanol from a range of agri-waste.

“Our country is paving its way toward greater energy self-reliance”, said Gadkari at the inauguration ceremony. He stressed the Indian government’s dedication to fostering the biofuel industry.

“It is heartening to see indigenous innovation emerging from Praj Industries yet again. Today I witnessed India’s first 2nd generation bio-refinery demonstration plant and my belief in India’s capability in technology development as compared to the Western countries, has strengthened manifold.” Gadkari enthused.

“Biofuel is not only cost-effective, but also a pollution-free import substitute of Rs 7 lakh crore. Our government has initiated dialogues between my ministry, Petroleum Ministry and Renewable Energy ministry to present a comprehensive blueprint and is now with the Prime Minister for consideration. There are multiple benefits that can accrue to the government, farmers, industries and consumers.”

Gadkari continued: “Agricultural diversification is the need of the hour, wherein agri-waste will generate additional revenues to the farming community. Waste to wealth is the new mantra that emerges from Praj’s innovative world-class 2 nd generation ethanol technology.”

Meanwhile, Pramod Chaudhari, executive chairman of Praj Industries, said at the inauguration: “We are honoured that Praj’s second generation bio-refinery demonstration plant is inaugurated by Mr Nitin Gadkari, who has been strongly supporting renewable fuels for transportation. We have been working on 2 nd generation ethanol technology for over 7 years and this plant is a testament of our technology leadership in the bio-energy space.”