Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Sugar Institute (NSI), Kanpur, to advance research on sweet sorghum as a sustainable feedstock for bioethanol production. This collaboration supports India’s ethanol blended petrol programme and aligns with national objectives to enhance biofuel adoption and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
BPCL has committed Rs 500 million towards research and development under this partnership. The funding will focus on optimising sweet sorghum yields, improving agricultural practices, and refining juice extraction and fermentation techniques to enhance ethanol output. Furthermore, the initiative will explore the utilisation of residual biomass for compressed biogas and other value-added applications, ensuring a comprehensive approach to bioenergy development.
Sweet sorghum offers a viable alternative to traditional ethanol feedstocks such as sugarcane and corn. The project is expected to strengthen India’s energy security, promote sustainable agriculture, and provide economic benefits to rural communities. Additionally, BPCL and NSI will conduct field trials, technology assessments, and commercial viability studies to establish a scalable ethanol production framework.
