US company to set up solid catalyst-based bio-diesel plant in India
04 Jan 2007
Mumbai: US-based bio-fuel company, New Century Lubricants, will team up with Indian petroleum majors and the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, to set up the first bio-diesel pilot plant in the country.
New Century Lubricants, which bagged exclusive licence to NCL's patented invention 'solid catalyst' in November 2006, expects to set up the plant by 2008, a top scientist told the Indian Science Congress at Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu.
The company would partner one of the Indian petroleum companies for manufacturing cost-effective bio-diesel, Darbha Srinivas, scientist, catalysis division, NCL, said.
While at least five Indian petroleum companies have evinced interest in the project, New Century is likely to pick up one for the pilot project.
The concept of using solid catalyst in manufacturing bio-diesel is attractive considering the cost-effectiveness of the process, Srinivas said.
Srinivas who delivered a lecture on highly efficient production of bio-diesel and bio-lubricants from solid catalysts, said NCL would provide the technology and support for the pilot project.
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