Numaligarh Refinery Limited’s (NRL) bamboo-based bioethanol facility has achieved a key technological milestone by successfully producing 99.7% purified ethanol, marking a significant advancement in second-generation (2G) ethanol production in India. This plant, which uses bamboo biomass as its primary feedstock, is the first of its kind in the country.
The state-of-the-art facility, located in Numaligarh, Assam, was developed by Assam Bio Ethanol Pvt Ltd (ABEPL), a joint venture spearheaded by NRL. It is set to be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 14 during his visit to the state.
Designed to process 300,000 tons of bamboo annually, the plant is capable of producing around 50,000 tons of fuel-grade ethanol. In addition to ethanol, it also generates several high-value co-products such as furfural, acetic acid, bio-coal, and green energy. Officials note that the plant operates as a zero-waste facility and is entirely self-sufficient in power, producing 25 MW of captive energy.
Hailed as a game-changer for Northeast India, the project is expected to positively impact more than 50,000 individuals involved in the region’s bamboo supply chain.
Strategically aligned with India’s E20 ethanol blending program, the facility also represents a significant step in fostering Japan’s clean energy engagement in the region. Positioned as a model for sustainable energy and biofuel innovation, the plant underscores the growing potential of bamboo as a renewable resource in India’s energy transition.
