Page 16 - Plastics News March 2018
P. 16

CompAny news



          Praj in advanced stage of discussion to set up two 2nd Gen Ethanol

          plants in EU


             une-based Praj Industries is in advanced stage of   2 nd Generation Ethanol space and similar innovations I
          Pdiscussion to set up second generation ethanol       can see over here in India too. Thus, there are immense
          plants in two counties of the European Union. Pramod   possibilities of cooperation that I am able to foresee,"
          Chaudhari,  Executive  Chairman  of  Praj  commented  at   said Maniatis.  The legislative proposal of European Union
          the occasion, “We are in the advanced stage of discussion   known as Renewable Energy Directive (RED) progressively
          with  two  interested  parties  from  Europe.  We  remain   caps the use of biofuels derived from foodcrops like wheat,
          confident about our ability to emulate Praj’s success in   beet which are predominant feedstock in the European
          the continent with our 2nd gen technology. The techno-  continent.  This means, additional production of biofuels
          socio-economic model of 2nd gen ethanol technology is   to meet the increasing demand for energy has to come
          already progressing in India and can be replicated in the   from advanced biofuels derived from crop residue or 2nd
          developed region like Europe. In addition to mitigation   generation feedstock.  "Being a frontrunner in the 2nd
                                                                generation ethanol technology in India and a vast global
                                                                experience of scaling up 1st generation technology gives
                                                                Praj an edge of taking the 2nd gen technology overseas.
                                                                The indigenous technology has been developed at Praj’s
                                                                R&D center Matrix.  This demonstration plant is also
                                                                India's first biorefinery capable of producing ethanol from
                                                                a variety of agri residue. It also serves as a technology
                                                                platform to develop renewable fuels and chemicals, in
                                                                addition to ethanol from a variety of agri residue. It also
                                                                serves as a technology platform to develop renewable fuels
                                                                and chemicals, in addition to ethanol," said Chaudhari.


          of climate change, 2nd gen technology is also expected
          to enable  rural job creation."   A  European delegation   HMEL receives clearance for
          comprising of senior executives from bio-industrial sector
          representing renowned organizations participated in the   Petrochemical complex
          EU- India Conference on Advanced Biofuels being held at
          New Delhi during 6- 9 March, 2018. The delegation is led by   PCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL) has received
          Dr Kyriakos Maniatis, Principal Administrator – Directorate   Hclearance  from  India's  ministry  of  environments
          General for Energy, European Commission.               for the polymer addition project at its Guru Gobind

          As a part of conference, delegates visited Praj’s 2nd   Singh refinery and Petrochemical complex in Punjab.
          generation  demonstration  biorefinery  in  Maharashtra   The project is expected to be complete by April
          earlier today to witness the technology and plant      2021 and will cost Rs 196.4 bn. Units at the proposed
          performance. Dr. Kyriakos Maniatis, Principal Administrator   petrochemical complex will include a 1.2m tonnes/year
          - Directorate General for Energy, European Commission   naphtha cracker, two linear low density polyethylene/
          said,  "I  visited  the  commercial  demo  plant of  Praj   high density polyethylene (LLDPE/HDPE) swing plants of
          Industries in Maskoba and I was very impressed. Compared   400,000 tonnes/year capacity each.The petrochemical
          to other similar Second Generation plants across Europe   complex in Bhatinda will also house a 450,000 tonnes/
          and USA, the plant in India is better than those plants,   year HDPE unit, a 500,000 tonnes/year polypropylene
          simply because Praj plant is up and running and it produces   (PP) plant and a 55,000 tonnes/year butane-1 line.
          Ethanol whereas the plants in USA have been trying     Currently, the refining capacity of the company is 9m
          for over a year to succeed."  "There are technological   tonnes/ year which it aims to multiply by two folds and
          innovations  taking  place  in  the  European  Union  in  the   expand it to 18m tonnes/year




          Plastics News  March  2018     16
   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21