Nagpur: CIAN Agro, led by Nikhil Gadkari, the son of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chennai-based Ram Charan Group at the closing ceremony of the Advantage Vidarbha event on Monday, reported The Times of India.
The collaborative effort aims to pioneer a groundbreaking technology for producing ethanol using carbon dioxide as a raw material, potentially revolutionizing the automotive industry where ethanol is commonly blended with petroleum fuel.
Traditionally, ethanol is derived from sources like sugar cane, grains and other feedstocks. However, the utilization of carbon dioxide as a primary raw material holds the promise of long-term environmental benefits, particularly in reducing pollution. Nikhil Gadkari shared insights, stating, “We have achieved success at the laboratory level. Now, following the MoU, we plan to scale up the production at the plant level.”
The innovative approach involves repurposing carbon dioxide, a byproduct of distilleries, which is one of CIAN Agro’s business sectors, to manufacture ethanol. The company envisions a broader application of this concept, aiming to capture carbon dioxide emissions from various sources, such as industrial chimneys, to produce ethanol and mitigate pollution.
Sarang Gadkari, another son of Nitin Gadkari, highlighted the broader vision, stating, “The CO2 which is ultimately emitted in the air leading to pollution can be captured and put to use for making ethanol.”
During the Advantage Vidarbha event, the equipment for producing ethanol from carbon dioxide was showcased. Nikhil Gadkari also revealed plans for exploring the production of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from bamboo. CIAN Agro operates alongside another company owned by the Gadkaris, Manas Group, engaged in sugar, distillery, power, and bio-fertilizer businesses. Ethanol, a key product of the distilleries, is primarily supplied for blending with fuel.
