With the National Biofuel Policy in place the challenges lie in sustainable yields, demarcation of biofuel-crop lands as distinct from food-crop and irrigated lands, and economic incentive for stakeholders in the value chain.  This was stated by Shri B. K. Chaturvedi, Member, Planning Commission while inaugurating the 2nd International Symposium on Biofuels organized by PetroFed in knowledge partnership with UOP and in association with IndianOil at New Delhi on March 31 – April 01, 2010.

During his keynote address, Shri Deepak Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy stressed on the proper selection and quality of plants for Jatropha production.  In his principal address, Shri Sudhir Bhargava, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, while stressing on use of biofuels because of increasing import of crude oil by the country, called for production of ethanol from cellulosic materials or algae instead of molasses from sugarcane. 

During her theme address earlier, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, Vice President and General Manager (Renewable Energy & Chemicals), UOP, LLC, USA brilliantly brought out the emerging transition to 2nd Generation Biofuels.  Welcoming participants earlier, Shri Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, PetroFed and Adviser, Petronet LNG brought out the imperative to encourage biofuels production from non-food crops and commercialise processes that use biomass or cellulosic inputs.  The MoU being signed at the inaugural function between UOP, LLC and IndianOil to collaborate on a range of biofuels technologies, he added, was a welcome step.  The MoU was signed on behalf of IndianOil by Director (R&D), Shri Anand Kumar and on behalf of UOP, LLC by Dr. Jennifer Holmgren.

Shri A. K. Arora, Director General, PetroFed while proposing a vote of thanks at the inaugural brought out that the MoU fulfilled two important criteria of the National Biofuels Policy.

The 1½ day focused symposium, attended by over 150 executives from about 45 organisations witnessed 20 presentations from national and international speakers during six sessions.  Participants included corporates, Government departments, NGOs, educational institutions, research institutes and State Government representatives.

Almost all facets pertaining to biofuels were addressed including issues of policy, feedstocks, sustainability and financing besides views of user industries like transport, aviation, power and heat-technology.  International experiences, like those of Brazil, were discussed and integrated sea water agri-systems presented.  The auto industry pointed out the incompatibility of in-use vehicles with E-10 ethanol blending.  There was general appreciation of the need for an integrated inclusive roadmap for progress on biofuels, as pointed out by          Dr. Anjan Ray, Director (Business Development & Speciality Materials), Honeywell while summing up the proceedings.  A vote of thanks was proposed at the conclusion by Shri Anup Kacker, GM (R&D), IndianOil.

Click here to view programme and presentations.