Pune, India, 4th May 2017: Praj Industries announced a breakthrough in scale up of its 2nd generation ethanol technology with successful completion and start-up of smart bio-refinery for Renewable Fuels & Chemicals. India’s first integrated bio-refinery is built on the company’s proprietary platform technology – “enfinity’’ for manufacturing ethanol from agri-waste.
Second generation demo plant can produce one MLPA of ethanol by processing a variety of agri-residue like rice and wheat straw, cotton stalk, bagasse, cane trash, corn cobs &stover, etc. into ethanol, with superior product yields. With continual research and development, further pipeline of other renewable fuels and chemicals is underway to be produced from this technology platform.
Talking about this landmark achievement, Mr Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman of Praj Industries said: “Praj’s 2G demo plant is a testament of our technology leadership in the bio-energy space. This innovative technology has substantial potential to enhance energy security and help India become energy self-reliant. It uses abundantly available cellulosic biomass while effectively addressing the challenge of agricultural waste management and mitigating pollution. Commercialization of 2nd generation ethanol technology will give an impetus to rural economy and create additional employment opportunities.”
Mr Chaudhari added further, “The menace caused by burning of farm residue can be addressed effectively by converting biomass into ethanol to be used as a transportation fuel. Such biofuels are of immense national importance as they can help partially meet India’s growing requirement for crude oil resulting in forex savings. Progressively increased ethanol blending will help achieve GHG emission reduction targets agreed at COP 21 Paris summit.”
In India, an eco-system for 2nd generation ethanol is in the making to achieve the aspired 20% blend ratio. As a part of this drive, 10 to 12 Second generation ethanol projects are expected to be finalized, with average capex of around Rs 600 crore each. Each of these plants will have the capacity to produce 100,000 litres of ethanol per day.
Praj is at the forefront of this development and has already signed MoUs with IOCL and BPCL as their technology partner for certain project sites. Meanwhile experts from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and their engineering consultants have already visited demo plant and endorsed the success of Praj’s technology.
About Praj Industries Limited: Praj is a global process solutions company driven by innovation and integration capabilities, offers solutions to add significant value to Bio-ethanol facilities, Brewery plants, Water & Wastewater treatment systems, Critical Process Equipment & Systems, Hipurity solutions and Bio-products. Over the past three decades, Praj has focused on Environment, Energy and Agri process led applications. Praj has been a trusted partner for process engineering, plant & critical equipment and systems with over 750 references across five continents. Solutions offered by Praj are backed by its state of the art R&D Center called Praj Matrix. Led by an accomplished and caring leadership, Praj is a socially responsible corporate citizen. Praj is listed on the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges of India.
