India’s Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL), a subsidiary of Oil India, plans to start producing ethanol at its biorefinery in the northeastern state of Assam from March 2024. The Assam bio-refinery is the first in India to use bamboo as feedstock. It is expected to produce 50,000 tonnes of ethanol, 16,000 tonnes of furfural, and 11,000 tonnes of acetic acid annually.
Furfural is a bio-based chemical used in a variety of applications, including adhesives, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Acetic acid is also a versatile chemical used in a wide range of industries, including food, textiles, and paint.
NRL has a 50% stake in the Assam biorefinery project, which was built in partnership with Finnish companies Chempolis and Fortum. The project cost 40 billion rupees (approximately $500 million).
NRL plans to export furfural to European markets after meeting local demand. The company is also exploring smaller-sized biorefinery projects in the northeastern states of Mizoram and Meghalaya.
The Assam biorefinery is a significant development for India, as it will help the country to reduce its crude oil consumption and increase its production of renewable energy. It is also a positive development for the northeastern region of India, as it will create jobs and boost the local economy.
In addition to the environmental and economic benefits, the Assam biorefinery is also a showcase for India’s technological capabilities. The plant is one of the most advanced biorefineries in the world, and it demonstrates India’s commitment to developing and deploying renewable energy technologies.
This is a Syndicate feed; fake checked and edited by Clean-Future Team