India's NRL set to pioneer bamboo-based ethanol production in Assam

11 Oct 2023 CW Team

India's Numaligarh Refinery (NRL), a subsidiary of Oil India, is set to commence ethanol production at its bio refinery in Assam's north-eastern state in March, according to the company's managing director, Bhaskar Phukan. As the world's third-largest consumer and importer of oil, India is actively working to reduce its crude oil consumption by embracing sustainable alternatives like biofuels. The country has ambitious plans to increase ethanol blending with gasoline to 20% by 2025.

The Assam bio refinery, a joint venture involving NRL and its Finnish partners Chempolis and Fortum, represents a significant stride in India's sustainable energy endeavours. With an investment of 40 billion rupees, this facility stands as India's pioneer in utilising bamboo as a feedstock. It is anticipated to produce 50,000 tonnes of ethanol, 16,000 tonnes of furfural (utilised in adhesives), and 11,000 tonnes of acetic acid annually. Bamboo, abundantly available due to the closure of paper mills in the region, serves as the primary raw material for the project.

NRL holds a 50% stake in this innovative initiative. Phukan revealed plans to obtain the necessary certifications for exporting furfural to European markets after meeting local demands. Moreover, he hinted at future ventures in Mizoram and Meghalaya, focusing on smaller-sized projects. These expansions are expected to benefit from substantial cost optimisation, although specific timelines for these projects were not provided during his announcement.

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