Two weeks ago, we broke ground on our 2nd Generation, Cellulosic Ethanol Demo Plant. It was significant in more ways than one. It is one of the first plants of its kind in South East Asia. It is a testimony to the ingenuity of Indian scientific temperament and intellect. It is also a major leap in Industrial Biotechnology Application to a very real and present challenge – that of environmental pollution due to transport fuels.
In India, we have been advocating fuel ethanol blending with gasoline not just for environmental purpose but also for hedging against runaway gasoline prices. Today, as we face the prospects of high foreign exchange rates and consequent impact on Current Account Deficit etc. it becomes even more relevant to create new paradigms in energy.
With a mere blending of 5%, India stands to save Rs. 650 crore for the exchequer.
Worldover, 80% of ethanol is used for blending with gasoline/petrol. So, there is a lot of learning which is available.
One such learning which we have addressed is that of food vs. fuel. And, that is exactly what the demonstration plant will be working towards. Providing vital data to ensure that various non-food biomass (agri residue) like corn stover, cobs and bagasse can be converted into liquid fuel like ethanol. This not only adds value to the agriculture biomass, but it also ensures that there is a wider choice for feedstock.
However, I am truly excited about the fact that this demo plant will also be a starting point for many biochemicals development route. Biotechnology has enabled us to replace many hydrocarbon origin products with carbohydrate or biobased products. The best example is Bioplastics. It is also a big leap of faith for Industrial Biotechnology. We are familiar and aware of BioPharma as a discipline. Very few are familiar of Industrial Bitoech because it is yet to achieve critical mass. But, it has the power to shake the world, creating a bioeconomy. I am glad that Praj has been able to show that India too can pave the way in the new BioEconomy. After all, we have 0.17 mln people pursuing research science in India. It should show somewhere.
And, a final word to my detractors. It is nice having you around. We have long way to go together.
In India, we have been advocating fuel ethanol blending with gasoline not just for environmental purpose but also for hedging against runaway gasoline prices. Today, as we face the prospects of high foreign exchange rates and consequent impact on Current Account Deficit etc. it becomes even more relevant to create new paradigms in energy.
With a mere blending of 5%, India stands to save Rs. 650 crore for the exchequer.
Worldover, 80% of ethanol is used for blending with gasoline/petrol. So, there is a lot of learning which is available.
One such learning which we have addressed is that of food vs. fuel. And, that is exactly what the demonstration plant will be working towards. Providing vital data to ensure that various non-food biomass (agri residue) like corn stover, cobs and bagasse can be converted into liquid fuel like ethanol. This not only adds value to the agriculture biomass, but it also ensures that there is a wider choice for feedstock.
However, I am truly excited about the fact that this demo plant will also be a starting point for many biochemicals development route. Biotechnology has enabled us to replace many hydrocarbon origin products with carbohydrate or biobased products. The best example is Bioplastics. It is also a big leap of faith for Industrial Biotechnology. We are familiar and aware of BioPharma as a discipline. Very few are familiar of Industrial Bitoech because it is yet to achieve critical mass. But, it has the power to shake the world, creating a bioeconomy. I am glad that Praj has been able to show that India too can pave the way in the new BioEconomy. After all, we have 0.17 mln people pursuing research science in India. It should show somewhere.
And, a final word to my detractors. It is nice having you around. We have long way to go together.
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