First 2G Ethanol Bio-refinery in India to be set up in Punjab

New Delhi, Dec 23 (KNN) The first 2G (Second Generation) Ethanol Bio-refinery in India will be set up at Bathinda (Punjab).

The Foundation Stone laying ceremony for setting up the first Second Generation (2G) Ethanol Bio-refinery in India is being held on 25th December, 2016 at village Tarkhanwala, Bathinda (Punjab), with an approximate investment of rupees 600 crores. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a Central Government Public Sector Undertaking, is setting up the project.

The Bathinda Bio-refinery will be utilizing agriculture residues for production of 100 KL per day or 3.20 crore litres per annum of ethanol which may be sufficient to meet the 26% of the ethanol blending requirement of the State.

According to the reports, proposed Bio-refinery will generate employment for about 1200 -1300 persons in the Biomass supply chain and generate an additional income of approximately rupees 20 crores per annum for the farmers through purchase of their agriculture residues. The project shall also help in reducing CO 2 emissions from the paddy straw which currently is being burnt after harvesting.

One of the major outputs of this Bio-refinery shall be Bio-fertilizer approximating 30,000 tonnes per annum which shall be incorporated into the soil for improving soil fertility and overall productivity of farms in Punjab. The Bio-refinery shall also produce more than 1.00 lakh Kg of Bio-CNG per annum which can cater to transport and clean cooking requirements.

The Bio-refinery at Bathinda is the first step towards achieving 10% blending of Ethanol in petrol. Similar 2G Bio-refineries at other places are expected to be started soon. (KNN/RAS)