+
BPCL Partners with NSI Kanpur to Develop Sweet Sorghum
OIL & GAS

BPCL Partners with NSI Kanpur to Develop Sweet Sorghum

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Sugar Institute (NSI), Kanpur, to develop sweet sorghum as a sustainable feedstock for bioethanol production. This partnership is a strategic step towards supporting India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme and aligns with the government’s broader push for renewable energy adoption to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. 
The Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2025, significantly reducing India’s crude oil imports and lowering carbon emissions. Sweet sorghum, a hardy and drought-resistant crop, has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional sugarcane and maize-based ethanol production, given its lower water requirements and shorter cultivation cycle. The partnership will focus on optimising crop yield, refining agricultural practices, and enhancing juice extraction and fermentation techniques to boost ethanol output efficiently. 
As part of this collaboration, BPCL has pledged Rs 50 million towards research and development initiatives at NSI. The investment will be directed towards enhancing cultivation techniques, developing cost-effective extraction processes, and improving fermentation efficiency to increase ethanol production. In addition to ethanol production, the partnership will explore utilising sorghum biomass for compressed biogas (CBG) and other sustainable applications, ensuring a holistic approach to bioenergy. This research will also assess how biomass by-products can be repurposed for fertilisers and animal feed, further reinforcing circular economy principles. 
BPCL’s move comes at a time when the biofuels industry is gaining significant traction globally, with governments and corporations actively investing in alternative fuel sources. The Indian government has already introduced policies and incentives to encourage second-generation ethanol production, waste-to-energy projects, and biofuel adoption. With rising crude oil prices and increasing environmental concerns, the demand for sustainable energy solutions has never been higher. 
This collaboration between BPCL and NSI Kanpur not only strengthens India’s ethanol production capabilities but also underscores the growing role of academia-industry partnerships in driving innovation. As the biofuels sector evolves, such strategic initiatives will be crucial in positioning India as a global leader in sustainable fuel production, contributing to both energy security and environmental sustainability. 

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Sugar Institute (NSI), Kanpur, to develop sweet sorghum as a sustainable feedstock for bioethanol production. This partnership is a strategic step towards supporting India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme and aligns with the government’s broader push for renewable energy adoption to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2025, significantly reducing India’s crude oil imports and lowering carbon emissions. Sweet sorghum, a hardy and drought-resistant crop, has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional sugarcane and maize-based ethanol production, given its lower water requirements and shorter cultivation cycle. The partnership will focus on optimising crop yield, refining agricultural practices, and enhancing juice extraction and fermentation techniques to boost ethanol output efficiently. As part of this collaboration, BPCL has pledged Rs 50 million towards research and development initiatives at NSI. The investment will be directed towards enhancing cultivation techniques, developing cost-effective extraction processes, and improving fermentation efficiency to increase ethanol production. In addition to ethanol production, the partnership will explore utilising sorghum biomass for compressed biogas (CBG) and other sustainable applications, ensuring a holistic approach to bioenergy. This research will also assess how biomass by-products can be repurposed for fertilisers and animal feed, further reinforcing circular economy principles. BPCL’s move comes at a time when the biofuels industry is gaining significant traction globally, with governments and corporations actively investing in alternative fuel sources. The Indian government has already introduced policies and incentives to encourage second-generation ethanol production, waste-to-energy projects, and biofuel adoption. With rising crude oil prices and increasing environmental concerns, the demand for sustainable energy solutions has never been higher. This collaboration between BPCL and NSI Kanpur not only strengthens India’s ethanol production capabilities but also underscores the growing role of academia-industry partnerships in driving innovation. As the biofuels sector evolves, such strategic initiatives will be crucial in positioning India as a global leader in sustainable fuel production, contributing to both energy security and environmental sustainability. 

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?