IIT Kanpur and National Sugar Institute Launch Biofuel Excellence Center

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and the National Sugar Institute, Kanpur (NSI Kanpur), have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a Centre of Excellence for Biofuels. This agreement was signed at NSI Kanpur. The signing ceremony was attended by Ashwini Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Sugar), Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India; Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur; and Dr. Seema Paroha, Director of the National Sugar Institute, Kanpur.

Under this MoU, IIT Kanpur and NSI Kanpur will collaborate on joint projects to conduct cutting-edge research and develop state-of-the-art technology aimed at enhancing biofuel production in the country with greater efficiency and sustainability. Biofuels are anticipated to play a crucial role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. The collaborative research will focus on improving the production of Ethanol, Methanol, GBio-CN, Aviation Fuel, Green Hydrogen, and other fuels from biomass, a renewable energy source.

Uttar Pradesh, as an agriculturally rich state and a leading producer of sugarcane, is ideally suited for biofuel research. This partnership seeks to harness the expertise of both institutions to meet India's increasing energy demands while advancing environmental conservation.

Professor Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur said," NSI Kanpur has been working in this field for over 60 years, understanding the market dynamics and technological requirements well. Parallelly, IIT Kanpur possesses an understanding of fundamental science and technologies in chemical and other related domains. The aim is to combine the strengths of both institutions to create a state-of-the-art center to help India take a leadership position in the area of biofuels”.

Aswani Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Sugar), Government of India, gave his best wishes for the joint research work between both the esteemed Institutes and said, “The National Bio-fuel policy, 2018 allows the production of ethanol from various sugarcane-based feedstock as well as the use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol. Under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme, the Govt. has fixed the target of 20% blending of ethanol with petrol by 2025. In order to increase the production of ethanol in the country, the Govt. has been promoting maize as a major feedstock for production of ethanol. It also focuses on the Waste to Wealth approach by promoting the usage of other by-products of sugarcane”.

Dr. Seema Paroha, Director, NSI Kanpur, said, “This is a long-term MoU, and a dedicated building with a state-of-the-art laboratory, including all requisite equipment, pilot plants, and instruments, will be established for the CoE at the Institute campus. This will initially be funded by the ministry, and moving forward, industrial tie-ups will also be targeted".