ONGC to tie-up with Finnish firm Chempolis for cellulosic ethanol and biochemicals

ONGC has signed an MoU with Chempolis Ltd, a Finland based biorefining technology company, for a biorefinery project in India. Further to the first biorefinery, Chempolis and ONGC are targeting at larger production of sustainable biofuels in India, which would reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum.
 
“India has huge biomass potential and after biofuel mandate by Indian government, the country is certainly taking steps to be at the forefront of biorefining. In addition, Indian companies already have a long tradition to utilise residual biomass from agriculture, especially combustion of sugarcane bagasse and production of electricity. The country also has existing production of bioethanol and related infrastructure. Indian agriculture produces huge volumes of residues that are largely not utilised,” said Pasi Rousu, President, Asia-Pacific and Americas, Chempolis Ltd.
 
ALSO READ: Biorefining can lead to 100% replacement of gasoline with cellulosic ethanol: Pasi Rousu, President, Chempolis Asia & Pacific

He further added, “In co-operation with ONGC, Chempolis would be looking forward to the establishment of biorefineries preferably in areas of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. The company aims at delivering its technology in co-operation with leading Indian industry suppliers.”
 
Chempolis’ third generation biorefining technology is based on selective fractionation of biomass and co-production of multiple products in a sustainable way. The technology is not just for the production of biofuels (eg ethanol), but the produced sugars and lignin can be used as a platform into a myriad of different products.