Assam’s Tea Gardens Utilize Bamboo Feedstock for India's First Commercial-Scale 2G Bioethanol Plant
Assam's tea estates are dedicating up to 5% of their land to bamboo cultivation to supply the world's first commercial-scale 2G bioethanol plant in Numaligarh. The ₹4,930-crore plant, established by Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited (ABEPL), uses bamboo as a sustainable, non-food feedstock. This initiative helps tea growers diversify their income during tough economic phases caused by climate change and labor shortages. The 2G (second-generation) ethanol process is more sustainable than 1G as it uses non-food biomass, leaving a lower carbon footprint and ensuring food security by not competing with food crops.
Key Points
- The Numaligarh plant is a joint venture involving Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and Finnish companies Chempolis Oy and Fortum.
- Bamboo is chosen as feedstock because it is a fast-growing grass that doesn't compete with food crops.
- The plant requires 5 lakh metric tonnes of green bamboo annually to produce 49,000 metric tonnes of ethanol.
- The project includes a structured tie-up model with farmers across 26 districts in the Northeast for sustainable sourcing.
Exam Facts
- Plant Location: Numaligarh, Assam.
- Company: Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited (ABEPL).
- Feedstock: Bamboo (2G Ethanol).
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