CIAN Agro has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ram Charan Group based in Chennai. The agreement focuses on the production of ethanol from carbon dioxide. This collaboration was formalized during the concluding ceremony of the Advantage Vidarbha event on Monday.
CIAN Agro, a publicly listed company under the stewardship of the Gadkaris, spearheads this venture. The conglomerate also operates Manas Group, a company engaged in diverse sectors such as sugar, distillery, power, and bio-fertilizers. Distilleries, a key component of their business, already produce ethanol using conventional feedstocks.
With a focus on ethanol production from unconventional sources like carbon dioxide, CIAN Agro exemplifies forward-thinking initiatives. The conglomerate’s broad portfolio, inclusive of sugar, distillery, power, and bio-fertilizers under Manas Group, positions CIAN Agro as one of the versatile players in the evolving landscape of environmentally conscious business practices.
If the initiative proves successful, the technologicy promises to revolutionize the automotive sector by utilizing ethanol derived from carbon dioxide, a departure from the conventional methods relying on sugar cane, grains, and similar materials.
The potential impact extends beyond mere fuel production, as the adoption of carbon dioxide as a raw material is anticipated to contribute to long-term pollution reduction. The company expresses optimism following laboratory-level success and aims to embark on the large-scale production phase following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Nikhil Gadkari, the spokesperson for the venture, remarked, “Having achieved success in the laboratory, our plan is to now elevate the production scale at the plant level.” The company envisions utilizing carbon dioxide as a byproduct sourced from various channels, including distilleries and industrial chimneys. The intention is to capture carbon dioxide emissions, a major contributor to environmental pollution, and repurpose it for ethanol production.
Highlighting the versatility of their approach, Sarang Gadkari, another key figure in the enterprise, emphasized, “CO2, traditionally emitted into the air, can now be harnessed from diverse sources, such as industrial chimneys. Our vision is to transform this otherwise harmful byproduct into a valuable resource for ethanol production.” The company also showcased the equipment designed for converting carbon dioxide into ethanol.
Nikhil Gadkari further elaborated on their expansion plans, sharing insights into their exploration of alternative feedstocks. In addition to carbon dioxide-based ethanol, the company is exploring the production of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) derived from bamboo.
