In a major milestone for India’s clean energy transition, Spray Engineering Devices Limited (SED) bagged ₹150 crore in financial assistance under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG)’s PM JI-VAN Yojana through the Centre for High Technology (CHT). The funding will support the development of a 91 KLPD Second Generation (2G) Ethanol Biorefinery at Wave Sugar, Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh. The project ranks among India’s first privately developed commercial-scale 2G ethanol biorefineries and marks a significant advancement in converting agricultural residues into sustainable, low-carbon fuels.
Integrating Cutting-Edge Technologies for Sustainable Fuel Production
The biorefinery will combine LanzaTech’s globally proven gas fermentation technology with Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies’ indigenous oxygen-enriched biomass gasification process. Through a thermally integrated configuration, the facility will efficiently convert biomass-derived synthesis gas (syngas) into sustainable ethanol.
Beyond ethanol production, the project will establish a flexible technology platform capable of supporting future manufacturing of green chemicals, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) intermediates, and other renewable molecules. As a result, the facility will contribute to both India’s biofuel ambitions and the broader decarbonization of the chemical and aviation sectors.
Global Collaboration Meets Indigenous Innovation
SED’s partnership with LanzaTech represents a significant step in bringing world-class carbon recycling technologies to India’s rapidly evolving biofuel ecosystem. By combining international expertise with SED’s extensive experience in sugar, bioenergy, and industrial engineering, the project demonstrates how technology collaboration can accelerate the commercialization of advanced biofuels. The initiative highlights the importance of integrating indigenous manufacturing capabilities with global innovation to strengthen India’s energy independence.
Creating Integrated Bio-Industrial Ecosystems
Vivek Verma, Managing Director, SED, emphasized the need for the sugar industry to expand beyond traditional business models. “The future of the sugarcane industry lies beyond sugar and conventional ethanol. It lies in creating integrated bio-industrial ecosystems where agricultural residues become a valuable resource for clean fuels, green chemicals, and sustainable economic growth,” he said. He further noted that the project aligns with SED’s long-term vision of transforming rural India into a center for next-generation bio-manufacturing.
Advancing the Smart Village Vision
According to Verma, the biorefinery is a major step toward realizing SED’s Smart Village concept, where agricultural communities can actively participate in the green economy. “The Government’s support under PM JI-VAN reinforces the role of advanced biofuels in strengthening India’s energy security and reducing carbon emissions. By bringing together indigenous engineering, global technology partnerships, and local manufacturing capabilities, the project aligns with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, while contributing to the broader ambitions of the Global Biofuel Alliance,” he added.
Paving the Way for Future Green Fuels and Chemicals
Highlighting the technological significance of the project, Mr. Sukhraj Soni, Director – Biofuels & Green Chemicals, SED, described the facility as a transformative development for India’s biofuel sector. “The 91 KLPD 2G Ethanol Biorefinery represents a significant advancement in India’s biofuel landscape. By integrating thermochemical gasification with biological gas fermentation, we are creating a flexible technology platform for producing advanced ethanol today and enabling the next generation of renewable fuels and green chemical products,” he stated.
Strengthening India’s Circular Bioeconomy
As India intensifies its focus on renewable energy and carbon reduction, projects such as SED’s 2G ethanol biorefinery are expected to play a crucial role in building a circular bioeconomy. As reported by chinimandi.com, by converting agricultural waste into high-value fuels and chemicals, the facility will not only support rural economic development but also contribute significantly to the nation’s energy security, sustainability, and net-zero aspirations.
