Praj Industries Ltd. (Pune, India; www.praj.net) has entered into a binding agreement with Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. (IOCL) to set up three new second-generation (2G) bioethanol plants — one each at Panipat, Haryana and Dahej, Gujarat. These plants will have capacity to produce 100,000 L/d of ethanol.
This is a progress milestone, after an MoU signed earlier this year wherein IOCL selected Praj as its technology partner for setting up multiple 2G bioethanol plants based on its indigenously developed technology.
Additionally, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. (BPCL) has also selected Praj as technology partner for setting up one 2G bio-ethanol plant in the state of Orissa having the capacity of 100,000 L/d of ethanol.
Project timelines and capital outlay estimations are under finalization.
These agreements were executed on the sidelines of the recently concluded PETROTECH 2016 event, held in New Delhi in the presence of group of union ministers.
Second-generation bio-ethanol technology uses lignocellulosic biomass (agri-residue) as feedstock. The farming community is expected benefit from additional revenues from agri-waste. 2G bio-ethanol also helps reduce dependency on the imported crude oil.