With an aim at promoting clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Assam Bioethanol Plant and laid foundation stone for polypropylene plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) at Golaghat in Assam, India.
Behind the first-of-a-kind biorefinery project is Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited (ABEPL), a joint venture between Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), Fortum Oyj, and Chempolis Oy.
Located in Numaligarh, the ABEPL facility is designed to process 300 000 tons of bamboo annually and produce approximately 49 000 tons of bioethanol, 19 000 tons of furfural, 11 000 tons of acetic acid, and 144 gigawatt hours of green energy. The biorefinery leverages Chempolis’ advanced formico® fractionation technology.
Major technical milestones have already been achieved in the project with the successful production of commercial-grade ethanol at 99.6% purity. The achievement marks a significant leap forward in India’s Ethanol Blending Program (EBP) by contributing to the nation’s energy security and climate goals.
“The inauguration of India’s first bamboo-based biorefinery is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our teams and partners”, says Heli Antila, CEO of Chempolis. “Producing commercial-grade ethanol is also a central step in showcasing Chempolis’ formico® technology on an industrial scale. We are proud to contribute to a greener future and to the economic upliftment of the local community in Assam.”
Beyond its environmental impact, the biorefinery is expected to increase economic well-being in the region by sourcing bamboo from local suppliers. The estimated social impact of the project will benefit over 30 000 families.
The inauguration by Prime Minister Modi underscores the strategic importance of bioethanol in India’s energy roadmap as well as highlights the role of innovative technologies in achieving the country’s Net Zero goals by 2070.
