Abstract
Research led by Prof Ganapati D. Yadav at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai highlights a suite of catalytic and biorefinery technologies—including carbon dioxide conversion, green hydrogen production, and dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis—that could contribute to addressing global energy security challenges. These innovations support the development of sustainable fuels, promote circular economy practices, and demonstrate the importance of strong industry–academia collaboration in advancing energy technologies.
Energy Security Back in Global Spotlight
Geopolitical tensions revive the urgency for alternative fuels and sustainable energy systems.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions and military conflict in West Asia involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have once again raised concerns about global energy security. Possible disruptions to crude oil and natural gas supplies have renewed interest in alternative energy pathways and technologies capable of reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Against this backdrop, several innovations emerging from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, are gaining attention for their potential to support the transition toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
A Legacy Institution Driving Chemical Innovation
The Institute of Chemical Technology, formerly known as the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT), is widely regarded as one of India’s leading institutions in chemical engineering and chemical technology. Over the decades, the institute has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s chemical and allied industries.
Its alumni include numerous industrial leaders, several billionaires, and 19 recipients of the Padma Awards, reflecting the institute’s deep impact on industry, research, and national development.
One of the prominent researchers advancing solutions for energy security at ICT is Prof Ganapati D. Yadav, former Vice-Chancellor of the institute (2009–2019), former National Science Chair (2022–2025), Emeritus Professor of Eminence, and a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Bhatnagar Fellow.
Over the past two decades, Prof. Yadav and his research group have worked extensively on green hydrogen production, catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, reforming of bio-alcohols, depolymerisation of waste plastics such as PET, nylon, and polyurethane, and the conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals.
Turning Carbon Dioxide into Fuels
With support from the ONGC Energy Centre (OEC), the ICT research team has developed catalytic processes capable of converting carbon dioxide into methane and higher hydrocarbons, as well as transforming CO₂ into methanol.
In addition, the researchers have developed a method to produce green hydrogen from water using the copper–chlorine thermochemical cycle. This hydrogen production technology is currently being pilot scaled at Taloja. According to project officials, the ONGC Energy Centre, under the leadership of Sunil Kumar, is keen to advance these technologies toward commercial deployment.
CO₂-to-DME: A Cleaner LPG Blending Fuel
Another significant breakthrough from the ICT laboratory is a direct catalytic process that converts carbon dioxide into dimethyl ether (DME)—a clean-burning fuel that can be blended with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at levels of up to 20 percent.
This research was supported by the University Grants Commission Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellowship and the National Science Chair programme. The technology is currently being scaled up in collaboration with Godavari Biorefineries Ltd at its Nashik facility. The site provides an integrated environment where carbon dioxide generated from fermentation processes and hydrogen from dehydrogenation units are available.
The project has received strong support from Samir Somaiya, Chairman of the Somaiya Group, who is keen to take the technology to the global stage following successful pilot demonstrations.
This industry–academia collaboration was honoured with the K. V. Mariwala Award of the Indian Chemical Council in 2025.
Biorefineries: Turning Agricultural Waste into Wealth
Beyond fuel technologies, Prof. Yadav advocates the development of integrated biorefineries based on agricultural residues. He believes farmers could significantly enhance their income if agricultural waste is pelletised and converted through catalytic processes into fuels and chemicals. In such facilities, biomass components—including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin—can be transformed into a wide range of industrial products. The approach could also support rural economic development while contributing to sustainable manufacturing.
A Policy Idea for Tackling Plastic Waste
Prof. Yadav has also proposed an innovative policy mechanism to address plastic waste management. Instead of banning plastics outright, he suggests introducing a refundable deposit of ₹20 on every plastic article, regardless of its shape, size, or thickness. The system would combine barcoding and digital tracking to encourage the return and recycling of plastic products. Such a framework could promote systematic waste collection, create employment opportunities, and potentially integrate with India’s digital payment ecosystem built around the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Industry–Academia Collaboration Key to Future Innovation
Prof. Yadav believes India is entering a decisive phase in scientific and technological advancement. Strong collaboration between universities, research laboratories, and industry will be essential to develop scalable solutions that address pressing societal challenges. “India’s time has come,” he said. “Nothing is waste—it is only wealth waiting to be transformed. What we need most is a change in mindset.”
