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‘World’s first’ off gas-to-bioethanol facility to be built in India

Fuel retailer the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and carbon-recycling company Lanzatech have signed a statement of intent to build what they claim is the world’s first refinery for off gas-to-bioethanol production in India.

The new facility is set to be constructed at IOC’s Panipat refinery Hayrana, at an estimated cost of 350 crore rupees. According to an IOC press release, it will be integrated into existing site infrastructure.

Lanzatech has developed a gas fermentation process to make fuels and chemicals. Instead of using sugars and yeast, the company uses a biological catalyst to ferment waste gas emissions. The large volumes of waste gas produced at industrial facilities such as refineries cannot be stored or transported, and so have to be combusted to make power locally before being emitted as carbon dioxide. Lanzatech’s process allows refineries to divert gases from the grid, which in turn supports the transition to fully renewable power while recycling carbon into liquid fuels and petrochemicals.

The Indian government is pushing a cleaner and greener economic growth pathway, the country running one of the largest renewable capacity expansion programmes in the world. “This vision is inextricably linked to the principle of ‘need-based consumption’ which follows the need to maximise on existing resources and decarbonise everyday activities,” according to the statement from IOC.

Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s minister of Petroleum and Gas, voiced his support for the new initiative from Lanzatech and IOC. "India is on track to exceed its Paris commitments,” he said. “This is thanks to investment in novel low-carbon technologies such as this project between IndianOil and LanzaTech. It is promising to see carbon turned from a liability into an opportunity, where we can reduce emissions, maximise resources and decarbonise our economy.”

Basic engineering for the new, 40 million litres per annum demonstration facility is set to begin later this year. “Innovation is one of IndianOil's core values as evidenced by our continued investment in our R&D and engineering teams,” Sanjiv Singh, chairman IndianOil. “Innovation helps us learn and grow and this project at the Panipat Refinery enables us to continue to move forward with our commitment to build a strong sustainable business that demonstrates concern for society and the environment. The biofuels we will be able to produce will support the requirements for motor spirit blends set by the Government of India while enabling IndianOil to add value while reducing its emissions.”

“India is leading a transformational shift which balances industrial growth with the needs of society and the environment,” said Dr Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. “Changes in the energy paradigm pose a serious challenge for energy companies but IndianOil is taking the challenge as an opportunity. They are leading the next generation of refiners as they diversify India's energy sources and explore alternative ways to meet the country's energy needs, sustain economic growth and alleviate energy poverty.” 





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