Foundation stone laid for India’s first 2G ethanol plant

In India, the first foundation stone was laid for the country’s first cellulosic ethanol plant on Christmas day in the village of Tarkhanwala in Punjab. Hindustan Petroleum Company Ltd. is investing $88 million in the 32 million liter per year facility, potentially enough to supply the 26% blending mandate for the state of Punjab. Using paddy straw as feedstock, the facility will also produce bio-CNG for clean cooking and transport along with fertilizer as byproducts.