SED Will Create India’s Most Advanced 2G Ethanol Biorefinery Project with ₹150 Crore Govt Funding Under PM JI-VAN Scheme

The government-sponsored initiative combines an international carbon recycling solution with local biomass gasification technology

In a momentous event that marks India’s path to advanced biofuel, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG)’s PM JI-VAN Yojana has sanctioned an assistance of ₹150 crore for the development of a 91 KLPD Second Generation (2G) Ethanol Biorefinery by Spray Engineering Devices Limited (SED) at Wave Sugar, Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh.

The project is one of India’s first privately built commercial 2G ethanol biorefineries, which utilise the process of biomass gasification along with the advanced gas fermentation technique to convert agricultural waste into low-carbon fuel and, in the future, green chemicals.

By incorporating LanzaTech’s well-known gas fermentation process and Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies’ locally developed oxygen-enriched biomass gasification process in a thermal integration framework, the biorefinery would produce sustainable ethanol from syngas generated by biomass and develop a platform for future production of green chemicals, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) precursors, and other renewable fuels.

The association of SED with LanzaTech is a key development in translating global carbon recycling technology into the Indian biofuel domain. Together with SED’s long experience in sugar engineering and bioenergy, this shows how indigenous competencies, global technology alliances, and conducive government policies can lead to the commercial success of advanced biofuels.

On the occasion of this landmark achievement, Mr Vivek Verma, Managing Director, SED, said, “The future of the sugarcane sector is not in sugar and traditional ethanol but in building bio-industrial ecosystems where crop waste can be utilised as a raw material for renewable fuel and green chemistry.”

He said, “This project is a significant milestone which turned the SED vision of Smart Villages into reality. Through its support under PM JI-VAN, the Government of India recognises the significance of next-generation biofuels in improving the nation’s energy security and lowering its carbon footprint. This project reflects the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ by leveraging engineering skills at home, technological collaborations abroad, and manufacturing prowess locally, all in service of achieving the Global Biofuel Alliance vision as well.”

Mr Sukhraj Soni, Director – Biofuels & Green Chemicals, SED, said, “The 91 KLPD 2G Ethanol Biorefinery marks an important milestone in the biofuel industry in India. With our combination of thermochemical gasification along with biological gas fermentation, we are developing a versatile technology platform that can produce advanced ethanol currently and in future.”

He said, “This is not only about producing ethanol but also represents a design of how to produce bio-refinery systems in the future that will be able to produce a number of products from agricultural residues.”

India’s ethanol program has developed a good foundation for future advancement using first-generation raw materials like sugarcane and cereals. The future development of the industry calls for the utilisation of second-generation technologies, which will enable the country to take advantage of crop residue.

The project is also an integral part of the SED Smart Village Initiative, a concept aimed at creating bio-industrial ecosystems where agriculture, energy generation, and technology come together to create green fuels, chemicals, and materials.

SED, with over three decades of experience in engineering solutions for the sugar and process industries, has entered into the world of advanced biofuels, marking its growth as a technology provider rather than just a process engineering firm.

Overview of Spray Engineering Devices Limited (SED)

Spray Engineering Devices Limited (SED) is an engineering firm that uses technology to offer integrated solutions in the fields of sugar, biofuels, renewable energy, and process industries. SED has been providing innovative solutions for over thirty years now, which have improved efficiency, sustainability, and value creation. The Smart Village Initiative of SED is aimed at developing bio-industrial ecosystems using agricultural wastes to produce clean fuels and green chemicals.