Praj in advanced stage of discussion to set up two 2nd Gen Ethanol plants in EU

Pune-based Praj Industries is in advanced stage of discussion to set up second generation ethanol plants in two counties of the European Union.

Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman of Praj commented at the occasion, “We are in the advanced stage of discussion with two interested parties from Europe. We remain confident about our ability to emulate Praj’s success in the continent with our 2nd gen technology.

The techno-socio-economic model of 2nd gen ethanol technology is already progressing in India and can be replicated in the developed region like Europe. In addition to mitigation of climate change, 2nd gen technology is also expected to enable rural job creation."

A European delegation comprising of senior executives from bio-industrial sector representing renowned organizations participated in the EU- India Conference on Advanced Biofuels being held at New Delhi during 6-9 March, 2018. The delegation is led by Dr Kyriakos Maniatis, Principal Administrator – Directorate General for Energy, European Commission.

As a part of conference, delegates visited Praj’s 2nd generation demonstration biorefinery in Maharashtra earlier today to witness the technology and plant performance.

Dr. Kyriakos Maniatis, Principal Administrator - Directorate General for Energy, European Commission said, "I visited the commercial demo plant of Praj Industries in Maskoba and I was very impressed. Compared to other similar Second Generation plants across Europe and USA, the plant in India is better than those plants, simply because Praj plant is up and running and it produces Ethanol whereas the plants in USA have been trying for over a year to succeed."

" There are technological innovations taking place in the European Union in the 2^nd Generation Ethanol space and similar innovations I can see over here in India too. Thus, there are immense possibilities of cooperation that I am able to foresee," said Maniatis.

The legislative proposal of European Union known as Renewable Energy Directive (RED) progressively caps the use of biofuels derived from foodcrops like wheat, beet which are predominant feedstock in the European continent.

This means, additional production of biofuels to meet the increasing demand for energy has to come from advanced biofuels derived from crop residue or 2nd generation feedstock.

"Being a frontrunner in the 2nd generation ethanol technology in India and a vast global experience of scaling up 1st generation technology gives Praj an edge of taking the 2nd gen technology overseas. The indigenous technology has been developed at Praj’s R&D center Matrix. This demonstration plant is also India's first biorefinery capable of producing ethanol from a variety of agri residue. It also serves as a technology platform to develop renewable fuels and chemicals, in addition to ethanol," said Chaudhari.

“We participated in engaging and meaningful discussion with Indian stakeholders. Visit to Praj’s 2nd gen demonstration plant has given us new insights into the technology development which, I am sure, will be of interest to European customers”, expressed Dr Maniatis.

India is poised to bring out a National Biofuel Policy aimed at creating a sector worth Rs 1 lac crore, as indicated by Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas. “The policy would detail the architecture for India to make the move towards adopting 2nd generation or advanced biofuels in the future”, Pradhan said addressing the EU-India Conference. Indian Oil Marketing Companies are preparing to set up 12 numbers of 2nd gen biorefineries in India. Praj has signed MOUs with IOCL and BPCL in this regard.