10 February, 2009, Pune: Praj Industries, the globally leading biofuels technology & solutions Company announced break-through in cellulosic biomass to ethanol technology at Pilot Scale. Praj formally inaugurated its cellulosic ethanol pilot plant at its R & D Centre called Praj Matrix – The Innovation Centre near Pune.

The Laboratory facility at Praj Matrix was put into operation in April 2008 with the objective of promoting basic research and its scale up for non-food biofuels and industrial biotech processes. The first phase of the scaled up program has now been achieved with this break-through wherein the pilot plant has successfully demonstrated production of ethanol from corn cob and sugarcane bagasse under varying operating conditions. This follows proven bench scale process development for which Praj has already filed for patents.

“We are proud to say that Praj Matrix facilities can now be counted as the best-in-class advanced biofuels research facilities across the globe. It is perhaps also the only one of its kind on this side of the hemisphere. In fact, the break-through puts us right on top of the league with advanced nations”, said Pramod Chaudhari, Chairman, Praj.

As production of ethanol is expected to double by 2012, feedstock expansion has become a top agenda, fostering intensive R & D activities in this field. Most of the R & D has been promoted in USA and some in Europe, mainly assisted through government grants. Praj Matrix advanced biofuels pilot plant will propel India into a different league of countries pursuing sustainable and secure energy resources.

“On the occasion of our silver jubilee year celebrations, we dedicate Praj Matrix Pilot Plant to all Prajiites, employees and stakeholders, who have demonstrated unstinting support towards this dream which has now come much closer to realization”, added Pramod Chaudhari, Chairman Praj.

“Further work would also involve scaling up to the next level of ‘commercial demo plant’ where the Company plans to add on the cellulosic module to an existing conventional distillery where the basic feedstock is easily available. We are already in discussions with a few distilleries and have received encouraging responses from them. Very soon we will start execution of the commercial demo plant”, added Shashank Inamdar, CEO & MD, Praj Industries.

These breakthroughs are expected to present a new set of opportunities for Praj.

“We are also working on technologies where the approach of cellulosic ethanol production process can be made widely applicable to other industrial chemicals/products. This will enable Praj to gain foot-prints in the domain of Industrial Biotech.” Said Balu Sarma, Chief Technology Officer, Praj-Matrix.

The strength of scientists and technologists at R & D has gone up to seventy five in a span of a year comprising of doctoral and post graduates in different fields.

Vinod Khosla, one of the investors in Praj, shared his appreciation by saying, “On the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebrations of Praj, I am glad to note of the achievement of Praj Matrix to bring about a break-through technology in cellulosic biomass to ethanol. The Pilot Plant indeed is a milestone and will certainly put Praj in the big league of advanced biofuels. I foresee renewable fuels to sustain challenges through innovation, such as these. Pramod and his team have indeed done well.”

“People like Vinod and many other shareholders have given us faith that we are pursuing the right path. We see a promise of greater magnitude and possibilities in this break-through and will continue to lead in renewable, green energy solutions”, said Pramod Chaudhari.

About Praj Industries Limited:

Praj is a global Indian company that offers innovative solutions to significantly add value in bio-ethanol, bio-diesel and brewery plants and related wastewater treatment systems as well as process plant & equipment for customers, worldwide. Praj is a knowledge based company with expertise and experience in Bioprocesses and engineering. It delivers know how, License, engineering design, plant & equipment. Project management, commissioning and customer care and turnkey projects. Led by an accomplished and caring leadership, Praj is a socially responsible corporate citizen. Praj is listed on the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges of India. BioCnergy Europa B.V., The Netherlands, Praj Jaragua Bioenergia S.A., Brazil are JV Companies of Praj, while Praj Schneider, USA is a wholly owned subsidiary.

About Praj Matrix-the innovation centre:

Spread across 5 acres of land near Pune, Praj’s state-of-the-art R & D facilities, Matrix – The Innovation Center spearheads technological research and development. The facility houses 14 laboratories including clean room facilities, and Pilot Plants for cellulosic and conventional ethanol, and biodiesel. It also houses a brewery laboratory as per European Brewing Convention standards. Praj invested in R & D way back in 1989 wherein it concentrated upon employing biotechnology for developing cutting edge processes for ethanol production based on various feed stocks. Praj Matrix employs highly qualified professionals from different technical disciplines including fermentation and microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetic engineering, chemical sciences, algal sciences, analytical chemistry, and process technology and engineering. Praj Matrix has nine patents to its credit and has six patent pending applications. Focused on biotech related R & D, Praj Matrix – The Innovation Center is concurrently working on other industrial biotech programs focused on biochemicals and health and wellness products. 

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) sustainable transport project was taken up by the Union government last year, for which the city was selected as a demonstration city, along with Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Hyderabad, Indore, Jalandhar, Mysore, Naya Raipur and Thiruvananthapuram to be implemented over a four-year period.

The aim of the project is to achieve a paradigm shift in India’s transport systems and to assist states and cities in preparing and implementing demonstration “Green transport” projects. Pune has been chosen to implement non-motorised transport and pedestrian facilities on the roads connecting two pilot routes of the bus rapid transit system (BRTS). The other GEF projects are integrated land use and transport facilities project, intelligent transport system and city centre traffic and environment improvement.

The report released by the Union urban development ministry observes that in Pune 34% daily emission of Carbon monoxide (CO) is contributed by the increasing number of two-wheelers. It further states that the population of the city has increased four times whereas vehicular population has increased 87 times and the road length has increased by only five times in the last four decades.

“The vehicular composition indicates that 75% of total vehicles are two-wheelers, 13% four-wheelers and 6%. 53% of work trips by city population are performed by two-wheelers and bicycles. The existing public transportation system falls short while catering to the rising demand. Only 15% of the vehicle kilometres travelled in the city is accounted for by public transportation,” the report, which is posted on PMC’s website, notes.

In Pune, the project aims at reconstruction of footpaths, taking pedestrian privatisation measures through traffic signals, pelican lights and road markings, construction of cycle lanes and delineating areas as pedestrian-friendly precincts.

Through the plans in all the cities, including Pune, the Union ministry aims to reduce the CO2 emissions and particulate matter emissions in the project cities. “The greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction benefits thus achieved could be sold to countries with reduction commitments as per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Thus, these projects are potential clean development mechanisms,” the report said.

Speaking to TOI, additional city engineer (roads) Vivek Kharvadkar said as the project has been approved in principle, the Pune Municipal Corporation has sent a final draft of the detailed project report for final approval from funding agencies. “We will then seek approval of local authorities and go ahead with implementing the project,” Kharvadkar said. He added that the Union report has been put up on PMC’s website as a policy started by municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi to keep citizens informed about upcoming projects.

NDTV in collaboration with Toyota has organized the Greenathon. They are accepting donations which shall be used to provide electricity in villages.

Milind Soman is doing a 24 hr run for entire environment effort. Other campaigns include Mumbai Cleanathon, Mumbai Marathon and Save Yamuna. You may visit the campaign at http://green.ndtv.com/greenathon.aspx

The Green Anthem

Hawayein, patte, pani, per, jungle, sabz sona hain…
Hawayein, patte, pani, per, jungle, sabz sona hain..
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Ugaao zindagi aur yaad rakho dil ko bona hai
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Per ugaao, chanon hawayein, saaf karo
Apni zameen se itna to insaaf karo

Per ugaao, chanon hawayein, saaf karo
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Ugaao zindagi aur yaad rakho dil ko bona hai
Hawaayein, patte, pani, per, jungle, sabz sona hain

Ugaao zindagi aur yaad rakho dil ko bona hai
Hawaayein, patte, pani, per, jungle, sabz sona hain