In a significant boost to India’s renewable energy sector, Assam’s Rs 200-crore bamboo bio-refinery is poised to commence commercial production by mid-2025. Located in Numaligarh, the refinery is a joint venture between Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and two Finnish companies, Fortum and Chempolis. It is the first of its kind in India, utilizing bamboo biomass to produce fuel-grade ethanol and other value-added products.
The refinery, operated by Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited (ABEPL), has an annual production capacity of 49,000 tonnes of ethanol, along with by-products such as furfural, acetic acid, carbon dioxide, and bio-coal. Ethanol produced at the facility will primarily be supplied to NRL for blending with petrol, while other by-products will be sold in the open market.
The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits, creating market linkages for five lakh tonnes of green bamboo annually and benefiting around 30,000 rural households. Bamboo will be sourced from Assam and neighboring states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, within a 300-kilometer radius of the plant.
The bio-refinery’s trial run in December 2024 successfully produced ethanol from bamboo feedstock, paving the way for its full-scale operations. The initiative aligns with India’s push for sustainable energy solutions and is expected to contribute to the country’s ethanol blending program, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
With its innovative approach and potential for rural development, the bamboo bio-refinery is set to become a model for renewable energy projects in India, showcasing the economic and environmental benefits of leveraging local resources.
