CAQM Assess HPCl's Bathinda Bio-Refinery for Ethanol Production

03 Nov 2023 CW Team

The CAQM team, in collaboration with experts from the renewable energy sector, is evaluating the bio-refinery's infrastructure, technology, and processes for ethanol production. This review will assess critical parameters like feedstock availability, compatibility, storage, transportation, and processing methods to ensure the facility adheres to environmental standards.

The Bathinda Bio-Refinery, situated in Punjab, is strategically located near farms, ensuring a steady supply of agro-based biomass. By capitalizing on this advantageous location, HPCL aims to produce ethanol as fuel, which is an essential step towards reducing the country's dependence on imported crude oil.

Ethanol production from renewable sources plays a vital role in India's goal of increasing the share of biofuels in the energy mix. The government has set a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025. To support this objective, HPCL's bio-refinery in Bathinda aims to produce approximately 300 kiloliters of ethanol on a daily basis.

The review process followed by CAQM includes a thorough examination of the plant's emissions, waste management systems, and adherence to emission standards. The team is also assessing the overall environmental impact of the facility and its compliance with air quality regulations.

The advancement in bio-refining and ethanol production can bring numerous benefits to the region, such as employment opportunities, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased agricultural revenue. Additionally, it will contribute to HPCL's vision of sustainability and align with the country's commitment to clean energy transition.

The CAQM's review will prove instrumental in ensuring that the Bathinda Bio-Refinery operates at optimum efficiency while adhering to the highest environmental standards. If approved, the facility will significantly contribute to India's ethanol production capacity and promote a greener energy ecosystem.

In conclusion, HPCL's Bathinda Bio-Refinery is undergoing a comprehensive review by CAQM for its ethanol production capabilities. This assessment will play a crucial role in determining the facility's compliance with environmental regulations while promoting India's transition towards clean and sustainable energy sources.

HPCL's (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) Bathinda Bio-Refinery, with an investment of 1400 crore rupees, is currently under review by the Central Air Quality Monitoring (CAQM) team for its ethanol production capabilities. The project aims to leverage biomass resources, such as agricultural residues, to produce eco-friendly ethanol. The CAQM team, in collaboration with experts from the renewable energy sector, is evaluating the bio-refinery's infrastructure, technology, and processes for ethanol production. This review will assess critical parameters like feedstock availability, compatibility, storage, transportation, and processing methods to ensure the facility adheres to environmental standards. The Bathinda Bio-Refinery, situated in Punjab, is strategically located near farms, ensuring a steady supply of agro-based biomass. By capitalizing on this advantageous location, HPCL aims to produce ethanol as fuel, which is an essential step towards reducing the country's dependence on imported crude oil. Ethanol production from renewable sources plays a vital role in India's goal of increasing the share of biofuels in the energy mix. The government has set a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025. To support this objective, HPCL's bio-refinery in Bathinda aims to produce approximately 300 kiloliters of ethanol on a daily basis. The review process followed by CAQM includes a thorough examination of the plant's emissions, waste management systems, and adherence to emission standards. The team is also assessing the overall environmental impact of the facility and its compliance with air quality regulations. The advancement in bio-refining and ethanol production can bring numerous benefits to the region, such as employment opportunities, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased agricultural revenue. Additionally, it will contribute to HPCL's vision of sustainability and align with the country's commitment to clean energy transition. The CAQM's review will prove instrumental in ensuring that the Bathinda Bio-Refinery operates at optimum efficiency while adhering to the highest environmental standards. If approved, the facility will significantly contribute to India's ethanol production capacity and promote a greener energy ecosystem. In conclusion, HPCL's Bathinda Bio-Refinery is undergoing a comprehensive review by CAQM for its ethanol production capabilities. This assessment will play a crucial role in determining the facility's compliance with environmental regulations while promoting India's transition towards clean and sustainable energy sources.

Building Material

18 Sep 2025

Ambuja Cements Drags JSW Cement to Court Over ‘Kawach’ Brand

Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, has filed a trademark infringement case against JSW Cement in the Delhi High Court, alleging that its rival copied the ‘Kawach’ brand with its new product ‘Jal Kavach’.Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued summons to JSW Cement and its subsidiary, JSW IP Holdings Pvt Ltd, while referring the matter to mediation. Hearings are scheduled to resume on October 15 if no settlement is reached.Ambuja, which registered the ‘Kawach’ trademark in 2019, argues that the term ‘Kavach’—meaning shield—is the distinctive feature of its branding. ..

Technology

18 Sep 2025

Bentley Systems Named Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 by Afcons

Bentley Systems, the infrastructure engineering software company, has been recognised by Afcons Infrastructure Limited as its Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 at the Innovation Partners 2025 Felicitation Ceremony in Mumbai. The award acknowledges Bentley’s contribution to Afcons’ engineering digitalisation journey through an enterprise agreement providing access to over 250 Bentley engineering software tools. This adoption has enabled Afcons to accelerate project delivery, standardise digital workflows, and strengthen innovation across its infrastructure portfolio. Among key i..

Infrastructure Urban

18 Sep 2025

SBI Sells 13.18% Stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s SMBC

State Bank of India (SBI) has completed the sale of a 13.18 per cent stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for over Rs 8,889 crore. The divestment is part of a Rs 13,482 crore deal finalised in May with SMBC and seven private banks.Following the transaction, SBI’s shareholding in Yes Bank stands at 10.8 per cent. The deal, involving 4,134.4 million shares at Rs 21.50 each, is the largest cross-border transaction in the Indian banking sector.SBI Chairman C S Setty described the 2020 RBI-led rescue of Yes Bank as a pioneering public-private partnership, addi..