India launches Center of Energy Biosciences to pursue next-gen biofuels

In India, the Ministry of Science & Technology has launched the Centre of Energy Biosciences (CEB) with more than $6 million in funding. The Centre, which expects to raise $4 million in further support, is tasked with developing second-generation biofuels for the Indian market. The Centre will be located at the University Institute of Chemical Technology at the University of Mumbai’s leading scientific institution.

Late last year, the Indian central government established a Combustion Research Institute that it said will attract top scientists from around the globe to improve Indian fuel research.

To date, Indian research in biofuels has focused primarily on feedstocks and water supply. Last week, Tata Chemicals (TCL) said that it would join the Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Research Consortium. TCL recently began construction of a sweet sorghum-based ethanol plant in Nanded, Maharashta.

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