BPCL, National Sugar Institute to stimulate ethanol production in India

In a key move, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), state owned integrated energy provider, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Sugar Institute (NSI) in Kanpur to collaboratively develop sweet sorghum as an eco-friendly feedstock for bioethanol production.

BPCL said that this strategic alliance supports India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme and aligns with the government’s objectives to promote biofuels and diminish reliance on fossil fuels.

The MoU was signed by  Chandrasekhar N, Head (R&D) at BPCL, and Seema Paroha, Director of NSI, Kanpur, in the presence of  Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and  G. Krishnakumar, Chairman & Managing Director, BPCL.

Dedicated To Promote Biofuels

BPCL held that the company is dedicated to stimulate the biofuels’ development in the country. It has pledged Rs 5 crores to support research and development initiatives within this partnership. The funding will optimise sweet sorghum yields, enhance agricultural practices, and create efficient juice extraction and fermentation methods to boost ethanol production. Additionally, this collaboration will examine the use of leftover biomass for compressed biogas (CBG) and other value-added applications, promoting a comprehensive approach to bioenergy use.

Sweet sorghum, recognized for its water efficiency and rapid growth cycle, presents a promising alternative to conventional ethanol feedstocks like sugarcane and corn. This initiative is set to significantly enhance India’s energy security, foster sustainable agriculture, and uplift rural economies.

G Krishnakumar, Chairman & Managing Director of BPCL, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “Developing sweet sorghum as a biofuel feedstock marks a significant stride towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Our collaboration with NSI aims to establish a dependable and scalable ethanol production framework that benefits our energy sector and farmers alike.”

Seema Paroha, Director of NSI, Kanpur, remarked, “NSI has been a leader in bioethanol research, and this partnership with BPCL will facilitate the application of our innovations, enhancing India’s renewable energy landscape.”