Optimize IAS
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses
    • Prelims Test Series
      • LAQSHYA 2026 Prelims Mentorship
    • Mains Mentorship
      • Arjuna 2026 Mains Mentorship
  • Portal Login
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses
    • Prelims Test Series
      • LAQSHYA 2026 Prelims Mentorship
    • Mains Mentorship
      • Arjuna 2026 Mains Mentorship
  • Portal Login

Centre’s Push for ‘2G Ethanol’: Boosting Production and Reducing Imports with Local Enzyme Manufacturing

  • September 1, 2024
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
No Comments

 

 

Centre’s Push for ‘2G Ethanol’: Boosting Production and Reducing Imports with Local Enzyme Manufacturing

Sub: Env

Sec: Suitable Development

Why in News

The Indian government’s recent BioE3 policy aims to enhance biotechnology-driven manufacturing within the country.

A key aspect of this initiative includes setting up local enzyme-manufacturing facilities to support the production of ‘2G ethanol’—a more sustainable form of bioethanol derived from rice straw rather than molasses.

Key Points:

Introduction to BioE3 Policy

Objective: The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy, recently approved by the Union Cabinet, focuses on advancing biotechnological applications in India.

Goal: Establish ‘bio-foundries’ to produce biotechnology-developed feedstock and catalysts.

Expansion of 2G Ethanol Production

Current Status: The Indian Oil Corporation has set up the first 2G ethanol plant in Panipat, using rice stubble as feedstock.

Production Capacity: The plant aims for a production capacity of 100,000 litres per day but currently operates at 30% capacity.

Plans for Enzyme Manufacturing Facilities

Proposed Location: A new enzyme-manufacturing plant is planned for Manesar, Haryana.

Purpose: To supply enzymes for 2G ethanol plants in Mathura, Bhatinda, and Panipat.

Technological Advancements and Collaborations

Enzyme Development: The enzymes are derived from genetically modified fungi (Penicillium funoculosum) designed to efficiently hydrolyze rice stubble.

Penicillium Funoculosum: This is a species within the Penicillium genus, which is a well-known group of fungi.

Penicillium species are recognized for their role in producing antibiotics, like penicillin, but can also be utilized in biotechnology for producing enzymes.

Enzyme Function: The primary role of these enzymes is to break down the cellulose and hemicellulose found in plant biomass. Cellulose and hemicellulose are complex carbohydrates present in plant cell walls, and breaking them down into simpler sugars is a critical step in the production of ethanol from non-food feedstocks.

Applications:

Ethanol Production: In the context of ethanol production, these enzymes are used to convert agricultural residues and other lignocellulosic materials into fermentable sugars. The sugars are then fermented by yeast to produce ethanol.

Future Outlook

Ethanol Demand: The NITI Aayog projects a need for 13.5 billion litres of ethanol annually by 2025-26, with 10.16 billion litres allocated for fuel blending.

Environmental Impact: Using biomass and municipal waste as feedstock for ethanol production provides an alternative to traditional food crops and reduces environmental impact.

What is Ethanol: Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is a biofuel made from sources like sugarcane, corn, rice, wheat, and biomass.

Production Methods: Produced through fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration.

Purity: Ethanol is typically 99.9% pure alcohol and can be blended with petrol to create cleaner fuel alternatives.

Byproducts of Ethanol Production

Distillers’ Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS): Residue left after the fermentation of grains and extraction of ethanol.

Uses: High-protein animal feed that supplements livestock diets.

Potash from Incineration Boiler Ash: Ash from the ethanol production boiler, containing up to 28% potash.

Uses: Rich source of potash for use as a fertilizer.

Generations of Ethanol/Biofuels:

  1. First-Generation Ethanol
  • Feedstocks: Produced from food crops such as sugarcane, corn, and wheat.
  • Process: Involves the fermentation of sugars from these crops to produce ethanol.
  • Characteristics: Uses edible parts of crops; raises concerns over food vs. fuel debates and land use.
  1. Second-Generation Ethanol (2G Ethanol)
  • Feedstocks: Produced from non-food biomass, including agricultural residues (e.g., rice straw, corn stover), wood chips, and dedicated energy crops.
  • Process: Involves breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars, which are then fermented to produce ethanol.
  • Characteristics: Utilizes waste and non-edible parts of plants; addresses food vs. fuel concerns and aims for higher sustainability.
  1. Third-Generation Ethanol (3G Ethanol)
  • Feedstocks: Produced from algae and other microorganisms.
  • Process: Involves cultivating algae, which can be converted into ethanol through various biochemical processes.
  • Characteristics: Potential for high yield and efficiency; reduces competition with food crops and can utilize non-arable land.
  1. Fourth-Generation Ethanol (4G Ethanol)
  • Feedstocks: Focuses on integrating carbon capture technologies with algae or other advanced feedstocks.
  • Process: Incorporates carbon capture and utilization (CCU) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during ethanol production.
  • Characteristics: Aims to further reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability through innovative technologies. 
Types of Molasses

1. A Molasses (First Molasses)

  • Description: This is an intermediate by-product obtained from the initial stage of sugar crystal extraction.
  • Dry Matter: Contains approximately 80-85% dry matter.
  • Characteristics: Requires inversion to prevent crystallization during storage.

2. B Molasses (Second Molasses)

  • Description: Produced after the extraction of the first molasses, with a similar dry matter content.
  • Characteristics: Contains less sugar than A molasses and does not undergo spontaneous crystallization.

3. C Molasses (Final Molasses, Blackstrap Molasses, Treacle)

  • Description: The final by-product from the sugar processing cycle, rich in sucrose.
  • Sucrose Content: Contains about 32-42% sucrose.
  • Characteristics: Does not crystallize; commonly used as a commercial feed ingredient in either liquid or dried form.

India’s Ethanol Blending Targets

Ethanol Blending Program

E10: A blend of 10% ethanol with 90% petrol.

E20: A blend of 20% ethanol with 80% petrol.

Blending Targets

2020: The target was to achieve 10% ethanol blending (E10) in petrol.

2025: The government aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending (E20) in petrol, as part of the Ethanol Blending Programme.

Ethanol Production and Consumption Targets

Annual Requirement by 2025-26: According to NITI Aayog, India will require approximately 13.5 billion litres of ethanol annually.

Fuel Blending Mandate: Out of the total ethanol required, around 10.16 billion litres will be used to meet the E20 blending mandate.

Indian Initiatives in Biofuels

Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana (2019): This scheme aims to foster a supportive environment for commercial projects and enhance research and development in the 2G ethanol sector.

Ethanol Blending Policy

2018 Biofuel Policy: Initially set a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending and 5% biodiesel blending by 2030.

Revised Target: The Centre has advanced its goal, aiming to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26.

GOBAR-DHAN Scheme (2018)

Focus: This initiative, launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), is designed to manage and convert cattle dung and solid waste on farms into valuable compost, biogas, and bio-CNG. It aims to enhance cleanliness in villages and increase rural income.

Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): Initiated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Objective: To establish a system for collecting and converting used cooking oil into biodiesel.

National Policy on Biofuels (2018)

Categorization: The policy classifies biofuels into different categories:

Basic Biofuels: First Generation (1G) bioethanol and biodiesel.

Advanced Biofuels: Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, and bio-CNG.

Incentives: Provides appropriate financial and fiscal incentives for each category to promote biofuel development.

Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)

The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is a collaborative platform consisting of governments, international organizations, and industry stakeholders. This initiative, spearheaded by India, aims to unite major biofuel consumers and producers to advance the development and use of biofuels.

Inception: The GBA was officially launched during the 2023 G20 Summit held in New Delhi.

Goals: The alliance seeks to position biofuels as a critical component of the energy transition, contributing to job creation and economic growth.

Member Nations: The Global Biofuel Alliance is a collaborative initiative led by India, the United States, and Brazil.

It currently includes nine member countries: India, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Organizational Members: Several key international organizations have committed to joining the alliance, including:

The World Bank

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

World Economic Forum (WEF)

International Energy Agency (IEA)

International Energy Forum (IEF)

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Centre’s Push for ‘2G Ethanol’: Boosting Production and Reducing Imports with Local Enzyme Manufacturing Environment

Recent Posts

  • Daily Prelims Notes 23 March 2025 March 23, 2025
  • Challenges in Uploading Voting Data March 23, 2025
  • Fertilizers Committee Warns Against Under-Funding of Nutrient Subsidy Schemes March 23, 2025
  • Tavasya: The Fourth Krivak-Class Stealth Frigate Launched March 23, 2025
  • Indo-French Naval Exercise Varuna 2024 March 23, 2025
  • No Mismatch Between Circulating Influenza Strains and Vaccine Strains March 23, 2025
  • South Cascade Glacier March 22, 2025
  • Made-in-India Web Browser March 22, 2025
  • Charting a route for IORA under India’s chairship March 22, 2025
  • Mar-a-Lago Accord and dollar devaluation March 22, 2025

About

If IAS is your destination, begin your journey with Optimize IAS.

Hi There, I am Santosh I have the unique distinction of clearing all 6 UPSC CSE Prelims with huge margins.

I mastered the art of clearing UPSC CSE Prelims and in the process devised an unbeatable strategy to ace Prelims which many students struggle to do.

Contact us

moc.saiezimitpo@tcatnoc

For More Details

Work with Us

Connect With Me

Course Portal
Search