The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview - European ...

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityINDEXABOUT THIS PUBLICATION .................................................................................................................. 3AKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 3PREFACE .............................................................................................................................................. 4The Environmental Biotech Sector in India .............................................................................. 5OVERALL BIOTECH SCENARIO IN INDIA ............................................................................................... 5BIOTECH FOR ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................. 6COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................................... 6BIOMASS ............................................................................................................................................. 7BIOFUEL ............................................................................................................................................... 8WASTE WATER TREATMENT ................................................................................................................ 9ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECH ORGANIZATIONS ................................................................................... 10BIOMASS RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS .............................................................................................. 10Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (SPRERI) ............................................................................10National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) ....................................................................................................10Combustion gasification and Propulsion Laboratory (CGPL) .............................................................................11Radhe Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. ....................................................................................................................12BIOFUEL RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS ............................................................................................... 13Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd. (BREL) ...............................................................................................................13Praj Industries Ltd. ............................................................................................................................................13Mission New Energy Ltd. ...................................................................................................................................14IKF Green Fuel Ltd. ............................................................................................................................................14AE Biofuels ........................................................................................................................................................15Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. ................................................................................................................................15Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute ...........................................................................................................151

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityKrishnamurthy Institute of Algology, Chennai (KIA) ..........................................................................................16Centre for Conservation & Utilization of Blue Green Algae,Indian institute of Agricultural Research (IARI), Delhi .......................................................................................16Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Jaipur ......................................................................................................17National Institute of Ocean Technology ............................................................................................................17Hash BioTech Labs Pvt. Ltd. ...............................................................................................................................17The DBT-ICT Centre of Energy Biosciences, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai ...................................18Enhanced Biofuels & Technologies (I) Pvt. Ltd. .................................................................................................18The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) ........................................................................................................19TRA International ..............................................................................................................................................19Energy Microalgae .............................................................................................................................................20Phyco Spectrum Consultants Pvt. Ltd. ...............................................................................................................20Shirke Biohealthcare Pvt. Ltd. ...........................................................................................................................21Beckons Industries Ltd. .....................................................................................................................................21BIOTECH WASTE WATER RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS ...................................................................... 22National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) ......................................................................22Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) ................................................................................................23Indian Institute of Toxicology Research .............................................................................................................24Sardar Patel University ......................................................................................................................................25The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) ........................................................................................................252

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityAbout this publicationThis publication is presented to you as a companion to the EU – India Greentech Matchmaking Event 2011, an eventorganized by the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) and its partners, the Indo-Italian Chamber ofCommerce and Industry (IICCI), the Chamber of Commerce of Milan, Innovhub and CEIPIEMONTE.Within the framework of the first edition of the Indo-Italian Business Conference (IIBC), this event aims to createconnections and foster an exchange of technologies, patents and knowledge between European and Indiancompanies in the energy, environment and sustainable transport sectors.On 27th and 29th September 2011, a European and Indian delegation of companies and research organizationsis meeting in two Indian cities, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Their agenda is rich with business-to-business partneringsessions, panel and round table discussions with key government officials and top players of the Indian industry,networking events and site visits.This publication aims to offer you an overview of the five sectors that are relevant to the event: environmentalbiotech, renewable energy, sustainable transport, water management, and solid waste management. In orderto introduce you to these fields, each volume offers a summary of relevant research, as well as a representativecollection of organizations active in this space.We hope this will be a valuable tool in the productive exchange of knowledge and experience, and the creation ofbusiness opportunities during the event.AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to Mr. Sauro Mezzetti of EUTECNE for coordinating the efforts that made it possible to publish thispaper. We also give thanks to Energy Alternatives India for contributing their research.For any queries related to this paper, please contact Mr. Gianpaolo Sarolli at the Chamber of Commerce Milan -Innovhub (gianpaolo.sarolli@mi.camcom.it).3

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityPrefaceThe knowledge economy is one of the pillars of India’s economic growth. This is the result of a long-term strategyto promote technology as a tool for development. In this context India has become one of the leading countries inthe world in biotechnology.Biotechnology development in India in support of advanced research is mainly related to the pharmaceutical,medical and life science sector. Another important area of development in biotechnology is related to theagricultural sector and to upscale traditional skills and technology.This report however deals with other segments of Indian biotechnology. After a short presentation on the overallbiotech developments in the country, it focuses on biotechnology application for the environment. The subsectorscovered are quite different one another, and are related to other sectors of activities (energy, water, transport, etc.)but they have the common thread to deal with the most challenging environmental issues of this decade.The overview presented here is not necessarily complete. India is a large country with many public and privateinstitutions and many local decentralized initiatives. Many activities in this field are also community-based. Ourpurpose is mainly to give an indication to European companies, organizations, and research institutions aboutopportunities for Transfer of Technology to India and to make a small step in the direction to widen the knowledgefor scope of cooperation between Europe and India.4

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityThe Environmental Biotech Sector in India1. Overall biotech scenario in IndiaIn 2007 the Indian Government launched its National Development Strategy for Bio-technology. The nodal agencyis the department of Biotechnology (DBT) at the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Biotech strategy foreseesthe creation of a National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority as an independent body to provide a single windowclearance for genetically modified products and processes. However, this body has not yet been constitutedbecause the bill for its constitution has raised several controversies, and health and environmental concern inrelation to the approval of GMO projects.A 30% share of the budget for biotechnology is dedicated to Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. There aredifferent schemes to promote Transfer of Technology from Research to Industry in the biotech sector, of which themost relevant are:BIPP (Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programmes) for advanced technology. It is a scheme focused on frontiertechnology for environment, health, agriculture, bio-energy and bio-manufacturing. The scheme allows privateindustries to undertake research and share the related costs with public research centers, while retaining theintellectual property of the results, with re-payment of a royalty to the public institution. The scheme is reservedfor Indian companies but Joint-Venture with foreign partnership are eligible, provided the share of the latter doesnot exceed 49%.SBIRI (Small Business Innovation Research Industry) is a scheme to support innovation for the Small-MediumEnterprises of the biotech sector, with provision for grant of 80% of the total cost of the research project if it isbelow 2.5 million Indian Rupees, and 50% for any amount up to 10 million Rupees. Beyond this ceiling, it is possibleto obtain an interest-free loan up to 5 million Rupees and 1% up to 10 million of Rupees.BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) has been activated to support and assist start-ups,especially SMEs, to catalyze biotech in the private sector and promote PPP projects.BIO-TECH PARKS There 27 biotech parks across India. The largest are located in Hyderabad and in Pune. Importantbiotech parks are located also in Lucknow and Chennai. A biotech park specialised in traditional medicine is locatedin Kerala. Typically, biotech parks are meant to provide the following facilities and services:i) research,ii) incubation,iii) clustering of private industries.The total volume of the business biotech sector in India in 2010 has been around 4 billion USD and it is projectedto grow up to 10 billion USD in 2015. There are about 300 companies operating in the biotech sector in India.The pharmaceutical sector is the most relevant in biotechnology with an approximate share of 62% of the totalrevenue. Bio-services contribute 18.7%, Bio-agri 13.7%, bio-industry 4 % and bio-informatics 1-2%.The most important research institutions specialise mainly in medical, pharmaceutical, nano-biotech andagritechnology.5

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activity2. Biotech for environmentApplication of Biotechnology for environment in India are mainly related the following segments:1) Social development for community-based projects2) Energy from biomass sources3) Biofuel4) Application to waste management and waste water treatment2.1 COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTThe development of community-based projects has the aim to benefit a large population in vulnerable sections ofsociety, for example women and SC/ST population through skill development. Income and employment generationactivities are promoted in horticulture, animal husbandry, secondary agriculture and value-based product andprocess development.There is a Special Task Force for Biotechnology Based Programmes for rural population, women and backwardcastes and classes that finances projects in various fields, with a priority for biotech in Agriculture and allied Sectors,Health & Sanitation, Environment & Biodiversity conservation, Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries, IntegratedFarming, and R&D for the development of technology packages, refinement and validation to suit different agroclimaticconditions. Almost 50,000 families have been involved in these projects across India. The interventionsundertaken are in the following areas:• Bio-fertilizers;• Bio-pesticides;• Sericulture;• Aquaculture;• Mushroom cultivation;• Spirulina production;• Vermi composting;• Floriculture;• Animal husbandry;• Cultivation of medicinal and other economically important plants.These interventions are based on creating Rural Technological Innovation & Application Centers as hubs for ruralentrepreneurship and business incubation.There are also some important business projects on these lines which are presently located in the biotech parksof Lucknow for bio-fertilisers, tissue culture, bio-pesticide and in Kerala for traditional medicine, herbs and plantvarieties, spices, etc.Another important step has been the creation of a Bioresource complex with an aim to utilize rural bio-resources ina more meaningful and sustainable manner and to create large number of avenues for rural communities. There arefive recognised Rural Bioresources Complexes (RBC) that have been established in the following State Agriculture6

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityUnivesities: Bangalore (Karnataka), Parbhani (Maharashtra), Hissar (Haryana), Govind Pant Nagar Univestity ofAgriculture and Technology (Uttar Pradesh) and Bhubaneswar (Orissa).The concept was supported with an end to end approach and integrated networking, sharing resources, fundingand benefits from state resources with technological innovations and S&T and BT inputs. An impact assessmentstudy has indicated that RBCs have done a good job in extending recent interventions to the community, as theyfacilitate employment generation, and are also the source of additional income for the community and of womenempowerment. The RBC projects were implemented in a holistic manner to benefit the rural community throughsustainable and judicious utilization of bio-resources.2.2 BIOMASSBiomass is one of the main sources of energy in rural India and contributes about 27% of total primary energyconsumption of the country. Most of biomass is still used mainly in the traditional way and only a smaller shareis converted in energy and heat through technological processes. As the untapped potential of this source issignificantly high, the Government of India has identified development of biomass as one of the priority areas forits rural electrification programme.According to the Indian ministry for renewable energy the present trend of investment in biomass in Indiais in the range of 100 million Euro per year, with a total number of people employed around 10 million.(www.mnre.gov.in/prog-biomasspower.htm)In India the total installed capacity of biomass is of 2650 MW (as of the end of June 2010,) out which approx1,100 MW are generated from agricultural residues, and the balance from bagasse. There is a total number of160 biomass plants generating grid connected power and about 70 plants for co-generation. The total estimatedpotential for biomass in India is 23-25 GW.In India there four technologies adopted for Biomass energy generation:• Combustion• Anaerobic digestion• Gasification• PyrolysisCombustion is used for over 85% of power production plants (rice husk, bagasse), groundnut shells, jute waste andcotton stalks either for co-firing with coal or for co-generation, especially in the sugar sector.Anaerobic digestion is not yet diffused as it is a technology mainly applicable to municipal or industrial waste forwhich there is not yet a properly organized supply-chain in India.Gasification and Pyrolysis are new technologies that have a strong priority for research in India. Especially ingasification, India is establishing itself as leader in this segment. The reason is that gasification is particularly suitableand economically convenient for small plant below 2 MW, which can adapted for captive industrial purposes orrural electrification in the villages.The development of gasification technology is a joint target of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Source andthe Ministry of Agriculture.7

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityA network of R&D centers has been created throughout the country to implement a programme on biomassgasification and gasifier systems designed for a variety of locally available biomass.These institutions are located at IISc (Indian Institute of Science) Bangalore, IIT Chennai, IICT Hyderabad and BHELTriuchirapalli for the advancement of technology for generation of power from biomass. Gasifier action researchprojects are also being supported by IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Delhi and Mumbai, IIS Bangalore, MKUMadurai and SPRERI (Sardar Patel Energy Research Institute) Vallabh Vidyanagar.India has the largest number in the world of gasifier installations and manufacturers. Gasifying is a sensitivetechnology. The performance of the raw material depends a lot on the fuel, and different raw materials mightrequire different machines or suppliers. Also, the quality of gas produced is a critical point to verify, gas composition,energy content, impurity and other chemical and physical parameters can change a lot depending on the equipmentand the type and condition of the raw material.India uses both downdraft and updraft technology, although downdraft technology is the most commonly used.2.3 BIOFUELIn India there is a National Biofuel Policy aiming at production of bio-fuel from sugarcane molasses and jatropaand other oil-seed plant. The first phase of the programme was implemented in 2003-2007 and was dedicated todemonstration projects. The second phase (2007-12) is dedicated to self-sustainable expansion with the target toachieve a 20% blend of bio-diesel (from oil seed plant) and bio-ethanol (from sugar molasses).A national bio-diesel board has been created to promote and finance organizations active in cultivating andprocessing oilseed for bio-diesel production. There are also incentives for commercial plantations (subsidy and softloan) for starting crop cultivations for bio-fuel. According to estimates of the Indian Ministry of New & RenewableEnergy, in India there are about 400 species of trees bearing non-edible oilseeds suitable of further researches forproduction of bio-fuels.The strategic approach in India is to utilize waste and degraded forest and non-forest lands for cultivating nonedibleoilseeds for production of bio-diesel. The aim is to achieve technologies based on non-food feedstocks andavoiding the issue of food vs fuel security.R&D is encouraged in all segments, feedstock production, bio-fuels processing and end-use applications. An R&Dpolicy has been established with high priority for local feed-stocks and needs. Priority areas are identified in:• bio-fuel production through cultivation of non-edible oil seeds on waste lands• advanced conversion technologies for first generation of biofuels (sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats)• emerging technologies for second generation bio-fuels including conversion of ligno-cellulosic materials toethanol such as crop residues ( such as the stalks of wheat and corn) and special biomass crops, forest waste,biomass to liquid fuel, bio-refineries• emerging technologies for third generation biofuels such as algae• technologies for end-use applications like development of engines for transportation sectorThe biofuel policy has not yet achieved its target. India is the fourth producer of ethanol in the world but needsto improve the efficiency in production. India shares with Brazil the leadership in world production of sugar cane,8

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activitybut the cost of the ethanol obtained from the sugar cane in India is almost double than in Brazil. Bio-diesel, on theother side, still suffers from low production of feed-stocks. The amount of land required for the production of nonedibleoilseeds is 30 times the present cultivation.The main institutions operating in the development of biodiesel are the Aditya Biotech Research Center in Raipur,the Indira Gandhi agricultural universities of Raipur, the Baba Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, the NationalAfforestand and Eco-development Board (NAEB) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the National Oilseedand Vegetable Oil development (NOVOD), the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (Bhavnagar);A few pilot plants of oil transesterification, which is the main technology adopted in India for bio-diesel, have beenset up by the Indian Oil Corporation (R&D) in Faridabad, near Delhi by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi,Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana; the Indian Institute of Chemicals Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad,the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) in Dehradun, the Indian Institute of Science (IIS) in Bangalore, and theSouthern Railways in Chennai.Trial runs on means of transport using bio-diesel blends have been conducted by Indian Railways on locomotivesby Mahindra and Mahindra on tractors, by Mercedes, Daimler Chrysler and on public transport buses tested byHaryana Roadways and Bombay Electric Supply and Transport (BEST).The most relevant companies in India in biodiesel sector are NATURAL BIOENERGY ltd (NBL) and SOUTHERN ONLINE BIO-TECHNOLOGY ltd (SBT).NBL has an oleo-chemical plant in South India, close to Kakinada port (Andhra Pradesh) with a capacity of 100,000MT per year. SBT it is also located in the State of Andhra Pradesh and it is operating since 2007 with a plant capacityof 30 MT and technology supplied by the German company Lurgi through its local licencee.2.4 WASTE WATER TREATMENTThe Department of Biotechnology has given priority to bio-tech for treatment of industrial effluents - especially forpaper and pulp industry, electroplating, distil, tannery, dye and refineries - biosensors for detection of pollutants,especially residues of pesticides and bio-diversity.Prominent institutions working in this field are:• NEERI (National Envinronmental Engineering Researches Institute) that has developed projects formicrobial desulphurisation of fossil fuel, detection of pathogens in drinking water, biosurfactants fromwastes through microorganism, bioscrubbers for removal of odours from industrial emission throughmicrobial cultures.• CTCRI (Center for Tuber Crops Researches Institutes) for degradation of waste-water from starchfactories.• ITRC (Indian Institute of Toxicology Research) in Lucknow for degradation of pesticides.• Visva Bharti University, Shantiniketan has developed technology for biosensors for detection of pesticidesresidue to detect organophospates, like carbonate residue and metacide.• SARDAR PATEL university in Anand (Gujerat) for bio-degradation of dye and textile industry.• TERI (The Energy Research Institute) that has undertalen projects with oilzapper technology for oiltreatment in various refineries in India.9

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activity3. ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECH ORGANIZATIONS1. BIOMASS RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONSi. Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (SPRERI)Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (SPRERI) was establishment in January 1979. SPRERI is a nonprofitautonomous organization and is recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by theDepartment of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.The goals of the institution are:1) Research and development of renewable energy systems and practices which are technically and economicallysound and environmentally friendly and which can reduce the dependence of industry and rural sector on fossilfuels2) Demonstration of renewable energy technology successfully integrated into the user systems3) The development and demonstration of techniques to reduce energy losses and energy intensity in processesand plants4) To act as an independent agency for high quality testing of energy and environment protection systems5) To develop and maintain effective arrangements to transfer RE technology for commercialization6) To develop cooperative/joint R&D programmes with reputed R&D organizations in the Country and outsideSome of the key technologies to emerge from the R&D unit include:• Conversion of kitchen residues to biogas and manure• Open core down draft gasifier systems• Biomass combustor-cum-hot air generator• Inverted down draft gasifier type biomass cook stoves• Movable platform type wood cutter for preparing feedstock for gasifierContact InformationAddressSardar Patel Renewable Energy Research InstitutePost Box No: 2Vallabh Vidhyanagar, Gujarat - 388 120Phone/Fax Phone - +91-2692-235011, 231332Fax - +91-2692-237982Emailinfo@spreri.orgWebsitehttp://www.spreri.org/ii. National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI)The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) - is amongst one of the constituent national research laboratoriesand institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. Originally set up as theNational Botanic Gardens (NBG) by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), it was taken over by the CSIR in1953. Though, initially engaged in research work in the classical botanical disciplines, the NBG went on laying an10

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityincreasing emphasis, in keeping with the national needs and priorities in the field of plant sciences, on its appliedand developmental research activities.The scopes of work of the institute are:• Basic and Applied Botanical, Horticultural and related Phyto-chemical Researches on Plants and PlantProducts• Development of Production Technologies for New Plant Sources of commercial importance Building upGerm Plasm Collections of Economic Plants• Providing Expertise and Assistance for Identification, Supply and Exchange of Plants and Propagules, GardenLayout and Landscaping• Collection and Dissemination of Scientific and Technical Information on Economic Plants as well as on the R& D Activities of the Institute, through publication of scientific and popular literatureKey research areas include• Energy plantation for production of biomass for power generation. Currently being implemented in twophases – I & II• Technology for creation of renewable energy sources on sub - standard soil sites• Bamboo production on wastelandsContact InformationAddressNational Botanical Research InstituteRana Pratap Marg,Lucknow – 226001, Uttar PradeshPhone/Fax Phone - +91-522-2205848Emaildirector@nbri.res.inWebsitehttp://www.nbri.res.in/iii. Combustion, Gasification and Propulsion Laboratory (CGPL)The Combustion, Gasification and Propulsion Laboratory (CGPL) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is involvedin innovative research and developmental activity in the field of Bio-resource in addition to frontier work inAerospace propulsion. Besides fundamental studies, this laboratory has developed techniques of gasifying a widerange of biomass including agro-residues. These techniques have been perfected into small independent powerplants, which could serve thermal or electricity needs of industry or rural society.The primary areas of research include:• Biomass gasification• Biomass stoves• Biomass gasification (for heat and power)• Biomass resource assessment• Precipitated silica11

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityEmerging research currently being carried out at the facility includes:• Torrefaction of bamboo• Precipitated silica from rice husk ash – IPSIT process• Optimization studies of turbocharger for producer gas engines• Adaptation and testing of various models and make of gas engines• Oxygen gasification• Development of improved biomass stovesContact DetailsAddressDepartment of Aerospace EngineeringIndian Institute of ScienceBangalore – 560012, KarnatakaPhone/Fax Phone - +91-522-2205848Emailoffice@aero.iisc.ernet.inWebsitehttp://www.nbri.res.in/iv. Radhe Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd.Radhe Renewable Energy Development Pvt. Ltd. is a flagship company of the Radhe Group of Energy foundedin 1998 with their headquarter in Rajkot, Gujarat, India. The company is engaged in development, designing,supplying, installing and serving turnkey energy projects mainly based on biomass power production.RREDPL has an In-house R&D centre recognized by Government of India which is developing new applications.The R&D centre has facilities to undergo testing of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. The centre primarily carries outresearch in the following fields:• Fluidized bed gasifier• Solid fuel to liquid• Algae to liquid fuel• Efficient dryersContact InformationAddress Plot No: 2621 / 2622Road No. - D/2Gate No. 1, Lodhika G.I.D.C.Metoda, Kalavad RoadRajkotPhone/Fax Phone - +91-2827-287888, 287889Fax - +91-2827-287887Emailinfo@radheenergy.comWebsitehttp://www.radheenergy.com/12

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activity2. BIOFUEL RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONSi. Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd. (BREL)Main Line of activity: Jatropha and Pongamia cultivationLocation: Lucknow, IndiaCompany Profile/Overview:Bharat Renewable Energy Limited is a company promoted by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, NandanBiomatrix Limited & Shapoorji & Pallonji Corporation Limited.BREL has been mandated by the government of Uttar Pradesh to carry out biofuel/jatropha plantation in 10 lakhacres of unused land in 5 years.Bharat Renewable Energy Limited (BREL) with the help of Bio Energy Mission cell (under Planning Department,Government of Uttar Pradesh) is setting up a bio diesel value chain in Uttar Pradesh.Collaboration: SG BiofuelsCo-ordinates:Address: Bharat Renewable Energy Limited, 4/28, 1st Floor, Vishal Khand,Gomti Nagar, Lucknow – 226010 (U.P)Phone: 91-0522-4022087Email info@brel.inWebsite: http://brel.inii. Praj Industries Ltd.Location: Pune, IndiaMain Line of activity: Provides technology platforms to the stakeholders in the biofuel industry.Profile/Overview: The Company addresses the entire value chain for processing of alcohol/ethanol as well asbeer production, right from feedstock handling to fermentation, distillation and waste water treatment and reutilizationand has over 450 references in more than 60 countries across 5 continents.Coordinates:Address: Praj House, Bavdhan, Pune 411 021. INDIAPhone: Phone: +91-20-22951511 / 22952214E-mail : info@praj.netWebsite: http://www.praj.net/13

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityiii. Mission New Energy Ltd.Location: Mumbai, IndiaLine of Activity: Integrated global renewable energy companyProfile/Overview:• Mission New Energy has the refining capacity to deliver over 105 million gallons of biodiesel (2.6 million barrels),every year, and holds numerous certifications for biofuel quality and sustainability, including the BPAC–AGQMtechnical standard and ISO 9001:2008.• Mission refineries are located at Kuantan Port, Malaysia. Cultivating over 194,000 acres of Jatropha Curcasunder contract farming agreements.• Mission NewEnergy operates in over 15,000 villages across five states in India. These operations are providingsustained employment for over 140,000 previously impoverished farmers.Coordinates:Address: Maa Gouri Complex, 2nd floor,Plot no. 191 Lewis Road, Bhubneswar751014 Orissa IndiaPhone: 91 674 2436744Email: mbipl@missionnewenergy.comWebsite: http://missionnewenergy.comiv. IKF Green Fuel Ltd.Location: Uttar Pradesh, India.Main Line of activity: Jatropha BiodieselProfile/Overview:The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of IKF Technologies Ltd. (www.ikf-technologies.com), having itsregistered office in Shillong and corporate office in NOIDA, India. IKF has evolved a model of Jatropha cultivationthrough Company owned / leased lands and through contract farming across the country. It has the largest areaunder Jatropha cultivation in around sixteen states throughout India.Partnership: Sigma Bio-fuel, Avani Vermi Compost & Bio-fuel, Indian Oil Corporation LimitedJatropha Plantation Location: Jharkhand, Gujarat, Madhya PradeshHighlights: IKFGFL is cultivating Jatropha on more than 10,000 ha under contract farming in different states.Coordinates:Address: A-56, Sector-16,Noida-201301. (UP) IndiaPhone: +91-120-4633000E-Mail:amarjyoti@ikfgreenfuel.inWebsite: http://ikfgreenfuel.in/14

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityv. AE BiofuelsLocation: Kakinada, IndiaMain Line of activity: Cellulosic EthanolTechnology: AE Biofuels utilizes an Integrated Plant Approach that allows for the use of cellulose, corn and sugarfeed stocks, increasing efficiencies. It also facilitates the upgrading of existing corn ethanol plants to use both cornand cellulosic feedstock and enables sugar cane ethanol plants to convert bagasse into fuel.Useful Links: http://aebiofuels.com/_pdfs/AE%20Biofuels%20Presentation%202011-05-06.pdfWebsite: www.aebiofuels.comvi. Godavari Biorefineries Ltd.Location: Mumbai, IndiaMain Line of activity: Sugar ManufacturerProfile/Overview: The Company has plants located in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra in India & has diverseinterests in Sugar, Power, Industrial Alcohol, Heavy Organic Chemicals, Specialty Chemicals, Bio-fertilizers & AgriculturalResearch. It manufactures more than twenty products from renewable resources, thereby forming an entire ValueChain right from Sugar Cane to Sugar to other value added products like Power, Ethanol, Bio-fertilizers etc.Coordinates:Address: Somaiya Bhavan 45-47, Mahatma Gandhi Road,Post Box No.384, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. INDIAPhone: 91+22-22858430/40/50Website: www.somaiya.comvii. Nimbkar Agricultural Research InstituteLocation: Mumbai, IndiaMain Line of activity: Sustainable Rural Development through Application of Science and TechnologyTechnology: Development of high yielding varieties and hybrids of sweet sorghumProfile/Overview: NARI is an NGO and non-profit research and development institute. It was established in 1968and registered under the Societies Registration Act XII of 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust Act of 1950. It issituated in the rural town of Phaltan in Maharashtra state. The Institute undertakes research and development inagriculture, renewable energy, animal husbandry and sustainable development.Coordinates:Address: Phaltan-Lonand Road, Tambmal, P.O.Box 44,Phaltan - 415523,Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: 91-2166-220945, 91-2166-222396E mail: nariphaltan@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/index.php15

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityviii. Krishnamurthy Institute of Algology, Chennai (KIA)Main line of activity: Krishnamurthy institute of Algology (KIA) provides consultancy for algae based industries,provides infrastructure facilities and guidance to research students in their PhD programme and for researchprojects in microbiology and phycology. Their main area of expertise includes collecting and evaluating marine andfresh-water algal vegetation for maintenance at their research facility.Headquartered at: ChennaiArea of Expertise:• Expertise on isolating, culturing and cultivating marine algae and their chemistry and utilization.• Studies on South Indian Algae Strain –selection and biomass –utilization from the algae strains.Collaboration:Vivekananda Institute of Algology (VIAT, Phycospectrum Consultants Pvt Ltd.Highlights:• KIA was started to decipher and exploit the potential of microalgae which are of great economicimportance.• Collecting and evaluating marine algal vegetation are one of their main areas of expertise.Coordinates:Address:E-mail:52, A, AK Block, 7th Main Road, Anna Nagar,Chennai – 600 040, Indiakrishalg@yahoo.comPhone: 91 - 44 – 26201132Website: http://kiachennai.com/ix. Centre for Conservation & Utilization of Blue Green Algae, Indian institute ofAgricultural Research (IARI), DelhiMain line of activity: National Centre for conservation and Utilization of Blue-Green Algae is a national researchcentre under Indian institute of Agricultural research (IARI), Delhi. The Centre functions as a service as well as depositorycentre in the country for algal isolates. It also acts as a National germplasm centre for blue-green algae (BGA).Headquartered at: New DelhiArea of Expertise:• Expertise in conducting basic and applied research on blue-green algae.• Provides services for unialgal culture isolation.• Protocol development and mass production of BGA biofertilizer.• Strain selection for nitrogen fixing potential and value added products like biopolymers, natural colours, proteins,biofuels etc. and to study on bioremediation potential of blue green algae.• Morphology, physiology and ecology of algae.Highlights: Isolation, purification and maintenance of blue algal strains from various agro ecological regions of India16

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityx. Birla Institute of Scientific Research, JaipurMain line of activity: Birla Institute of Scientific Research (BISR) is involved in fostering and promoting variousaspects of science and technology and has multi-functional activities.Headquartered at: Jaipur,RajasthanArea of Expertise:• Cultivating marine algae strains with a big-focus on Dunaliella species for biofuels and carbon-dioxidesequestration from algae.• Cultivating algae-strains for biobutanol production.Highlights:Cultivating marine microalgae for biodiesel and biobutanol productionWebsite: http://www.bisr.res.in/xi. National Institute of Ocean TechnologyMain line of activity: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) was established in November 1993The major aim of starting NIOT is to develop world class technologies and their applications for sustainableutilization of ocean resources.Headquartered at: ChennaiArea of Expertise:Utilization of deep ocean water for algal culturingTechnology employed:Potential of deep ocean water for algal cultureHighlights:Culturing of algae from oceans, development of photobioreactors for certain strains isolated from the ocean.Website: http//www.niot.res.inxii. Hash BioTech Labs Pvt. Ltd.Main line of activity: Hash BioTech Labs Private Limited was founded in 2007 with their main R&D focus on bioernergy, bio-cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals using algae.Headquartered at: Mohali, PunjabArea of Expertise:• Outdoor mass production of high-oil yielding algae strains.• Extraction, purification and production of nutraceutical products as well as biodiesel and bioethanol.Highlights: Genetic modifications and optimizations of various micro algal strains for the bio-energy,pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, medical diagnostics, food & beverages, cosmetics.Website: http://www.hashbiotech.com/hashbiotech/default.aspx17

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityxiii.The DBT-ICT Centre of Energy Biosciences, Institute of Chemical Technology,MumbaiMain line of activity: The Centre is focused primarily at developing biotechnologies for deriving energy fromrenewable resources and cut down greenhouse gas emissions.Headquartered at: MumbaiArea of Expertise:• Strain-improvement and algae-culture maintenance.• Production of cellulosic ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass.Highlights: Engineering algal strains to produce biomass and natural products, algal biohydrogen production,protocol to produce high amounts of fermentable sugars in the single-cells of algae.Website: http://ictmumbai.edu.inxiv. Enhanced Biofuels & Technologies (I) Pvt. Ltd.Main line of activity: Enhanced biofuels established in 1989 was mainly started to perform research on Jatropha.Eventually, they started working on algae.The company has undertaken research and development in the field of Agronomy, Processing Technology,Renewable Energy, Biotechnology, and Microbiology and microalgae cultivation. The company comprises a seriesof experts with extensive expertise in agronomy, soil sciences, microbiology, plant breeding and oil technology.Headquartered at: Coimbatore, Tamil NaduArea of Expertise:Collection of microalgal cultures and evaluating them. They have isolated 86 algae cultures from Indian laboratoriesand U.S. laboratories and have maintained it in their laboratory.Technology employed:EBTI’s business is the delivery of end to end solutions for bio energy, designed to support all segments of thesupply chain associated with the production of biodiesel, bio ethanol, bio energy, bio lubricants, bio pesticides, biofertilizers and other high value commodities derived from the processing of various biomass resources with a bigfocus on algae.Future Plans:They are planning to produce non-fuel products first while producing fuel products; for example: they are workingon producing high-value end products such as omega-3 fatty acid while producing biodiesel so as to make theprocess economically viable.Highlights:The company is focused in biofuel production using non edible sources of feed stock like Jatropha and algae.They have isolated 86 algae cultures from Indian laboratories and U.S. laboratories and have maintained it in theirlaboratory.Website: http://www.ebtiplc.com18

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityxv. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)Main line of activity: The Energy-Environment Technology Development (EETD) Division of TERI focuses onproducts and services based on renewable energy technologies and resource efficiency.Headquartered at: New DelhiArea of Expertise:Algae-cultivation in open-pond systemsCollaboration:• Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBSD),• Assam Agricultural University (AAU),• Mizoram University (MU).Highlights:Pilot Scale Demonstration of algal oil Production has been carried out by isolating around 20 native algae strainswith high lipid content.Website: http://www.teriin.org/index.phpxvi. TRA InternationalMain line of activity: The Company consists of an international team of committed scientists and entrepreneursinterested in translating high technology into green solutions.Headquartered at: New DelhiArea of Expertise:They have developed a scalable bioreactor suitable to various climates that has shown effective carbon reductionfor a wide range of applications.Technology employed:• They have developed a unique genetically modified algal strain and medium for algae which can grow undervaried conditions• They have successfully demonstrated their technology in MIT campus, USA and seeking funds for joint venturesfor commercialization.Highlights:Innovated and developed a scalable photobioreactor capable of sequestering carbon-dioxide emissions fromsmoke stacks and furnaces.Website: http://www.trainternational.com19

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityxvii. Energy MicroalgaeMain line of activity: The company includes a team of professionals include biologists, engineers, managers legalexperts and accountants who work for a common goal.Headquartered at: Kerala, India.Technology employed:• Developed an open trough bioreactor system which avoids the demerits of both closed photo bioreactor andopen ponds.• Their algae harvesting system ‘HYDROPHOBIC CELL ESCALATION’ is a milking process. There will be 3-5 harvestsper day depending upon the cell density.• They are using an in built harvesting mechanism which can be fully automated. Biomass production achievedup to 40gm/sq m/day. The harvested algae biomass is sun dried to a moisture content of

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityHighlights:• Phycospectrum provides consultancy to establish micro algal farms.• Optimization of critical parameters for sustained algal productivity and development of efficient and lessexpensive harvesting technology have been achieved through laboratory and field level research by combiningauto flocculation and chemical flocculation.• By combining both phototrophic and heterotrophic modes of cultivation techniques very high productivity hasbeen achieved.• Micro algal cultivation using open raceway pond and have optimized parameters for nutrient input and regularharvesting.Website: http://phycospectrum.com/xix. Shirke Biohealthcare Pvt. Ltd.Main line of activity: Founded in 1997, Shirke Biohealthcare is emerged one of the leading company in the fieldof Biotechnology with its wide experience in the field of Pharmaceutical, Agriculture, Non-conventional energy &Environmental science.Headquartered at: PuneArea of Expertise:Extraction of oil from algae and convergence into biodiesel.Highlights:SBHCPL have an advanced technology for producing 25 kilograms of oil per day per 1,000 square meter pond.Website: http://www.shirkebiofuels.com/algae.htmXX. Beckons Industries Ltd.Main line of activity: Beckons high yield algae farms recycle carbon dioxide from flue gases to produce biofuelsand feed, reducing net carbon dioxide production as waste becomes profitHeadquartered at: Chandigarh (INDIA)Area of Expertise:Harvesting algae for biofuels enhances domestic fuel production while mitigating CO2.Technology employed:• Using a modular system of Light Dependent phase of Photosynthesis in a low cost PBR with indigenous materialand a Photosynthesis light Independent phase vessel to increase its efficiency.Highlights:Developed a medium called Chandigarh Medium for mass culture of a selected strain of Microalgae.Website: http://www.beckons.org/21

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activity3. BIOTECH WASTE WATER RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONSi. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)Brief Profile:The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur was established in 1958 as CentralPublic Health Engineering Research Institute (CPHERI), when environmental concerns were limited to humanhealth with a focus on water supply/sewage disposal/ communicable diseases and to some extent on industrialpollution and occupational diseases. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur isdevoted to research and innovations in environmental science and engineering besides solving a range of problemsposed by industry, government and public. It is a constituent of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR),New Delhi and has a nation-wide presence with its five zonal laboratories at Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkataand Mumbai.NEERI’S focus areas are:• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – VOCs, Monitoring, Health Impacts, Public Awareness and Training.• Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) – Urban AQ data-bank, inventorization, source apportionment analysis, analyticaltechniques, cost effective control, conservation of monuments.• Drinking Water – WQ surveillance and assessment, water treatment, supply and distribution, training for ruralsector.• Water Resources – EIA of river linking projects, artificial recharge of groundwater and aquifers, eco-restorationof lakes and reservoirs, ecological minimum flows, watershed planning, catchment areas treatment, salinityingress in coastal areas.• Wastewater - Recycling for zero discharge, color and pathogen removal, treatability studies, and Design orrevamping ETPs/STPs/CETPs through innovative solutions.• Industry - Waste minimization, Recovery and recycling of wastes, Environment and process audit, EIA, Carryingcapacity, LCA, Global environmental policies.• Bio/Phyto Remediation – Reclamation and restoration of degraded lands (mine spoil dumps/tailings, salinesoils, etc.), carbon sequestration applications, land application of treated sewage, nutrient dynamics.• Municipal Solid & Hazardous Wastes - Design of landfills and disposal systems, Composting and biomethanation,stabilization.• Energy security - Biogas systems, Enrichment of methane, Microbial production of hydrogen.• Health - Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis for delineation of genetic disturbances due to exposuresof air pollutants.22

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityTechnologies Employed:• UV Photocatalysis• Detoxification & Biodegradation• Solar Photocatalysis• Color removal• Electrochemical Methods• Electrooxidation• Electrocoagulation• Electrofloatation• Electro-Fenton Process• Catalytic Wet Oxidation• Ozonation• Solid-liquid Separation ThroughModification in Design of Clarifiers• Hydraulic Energy Dissipation• Scale-up of Wastewater Treatment Technologies• Modeling of Wastewater Treatment Processes• Removal of Dissolved Solids from wastewater• Removal of Nutrients from Wastewater• Monitoring & Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds• Natural Purification Systems for WastewaterTreatment• Land A pplication of Treated Wastewater• Recovery of Chemicals from Wastewater and Valueaddition• Disinfection of Water, Sewage & Treated Effluents• Adsorbents for Heavy Metals Removal• Minimization of TurbulenceNutrient RemovalContact Details:National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)Nehru Marg,Nagpur, 440020, IndiaPhone: +91-712-2249885-88 & 2249970-72Fax: +91-712-2249900Email: t_nandy@neeri.res.inWebsite: www.neeri.res.inii. Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI)Brief Profile:The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute with its Headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram and Regional Centreat Bhubaneswar, achieved remarkable progress in the R&D on tropical tuber crops during 2008-09. The institutestarted functioning in July 1963.Current Areas of Work 1 :The institute has standardized technology for degradation of starch factory waste water. Three microbial isolates fromcassava processing wastewaters which were found to reduce cyanide by 81-84%, 50-59% and 71-83% respectivelyduring an incubation period of 24-96 hours were successfully immobilized on various supports. Wastewater fromcassava starch factories, when treated anaerobically, generated biogas, at various stages of hydraulic retentiontime (HRT). The gas produced was in a range of 26 liters and 17 liters during HRT from 20 days to 1 day when1 http://www.ctcri.org/pdfs/tech.pdf23

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activitythe feed volume of waste water was increased from 20% to 100% and the volume of fresh cow dung slurry wasreduced from 40% to nil. The anaerobically treated waste water was further aerated for 16 hours and the resultantBOD, COD and cyanide levels were brought to acceptable levels.Contact Details:Sreekariyam,Thiruvananthapuram,KeralaIndiaEmail: ctcritvm@yahoo.comPhone: +91 -471-2598551Fax : +91-471-2590063Website: http://www.ctcri.orghttp://www.ctcri.org/pdfs/tech.pdfiii. Indian Institute of Toxicology ResearchBrief Profile:Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (formerly, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre), Lucknow, a constituentlaboratory of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, was established in 1965. This multidisciplinary researchinstitute with the motto Safety to “Safety to Environment and Health and Service to Industry” addresses problemscritical to human health and environment. IITR is a NABL accredited laboratory for biological and chemical testing.Current Areas of Work:• Nanomaterial Toxicology• Environmental Toxicology• Food, Drug & Chemical Toxicology• Regulatory Toxicology• Systems Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment• Degradation of pesticidesContact Details:Indian Institute of Toxicology ResearchPost Box No. 80, Mahatma Gandhi MargLucknow - 226 001, IndiaEmail : director@iitrindia.orgPhone : +91-522-2621856, 2628227, 2613357Fax : +91-522-2628227, 2611547Website: http://www.iitrindia.org24

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityiv. Sardar Patel UniversityBrief Profile:Sardar Patel University was established by an Act of the Legislative Assembly of the then Bombay Provincein December 1955 and was recognised under 2f of the UGC Act in October 1968. The University intends to launcha major program to enhance Industry-University interaction and linkages with UNISCO-UNIDO support.Sardar Patel University comprises of 25 Postgraduate Departments, a constituent college, and 84 colleges affiliatedto it. There are 14 PG Centres in the affiliated colleges/institutions. The teaching program covered at Postgraduatelevel under various faculties such as Science, Arts, Commerce, Management, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine,Homeopathy, Home Science, Law and Education includes Postgraduate Degree Courses, Postgraduate DiplomaCourses, Diploma Courses, and Advanced Certificate Courses. Undergraduate Courses are taught in the colleges orinstitutes affiliated to the University.Recent Research:GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology has invented a pilot scale technology for treating the effluentof paper and pulp mills. The technology was demonstrated at Shyam dyeing company, Sanganer. For treating thewaste of 3 units, a common effluent treatment plant has been established having a capacity of treating textilewastewater up to 35,000 litre/ day. Sardar Patel University, Anand has developed bench scale sequential anaerobicaerobictreatment system comprising anaerobic up flow film bioreactor and fluidized bed bioreactor for treatingreactive dye industry effluent.Contact Details:Sardar Patel UniversityVallabh Vidyanagar-388120Phone: (91) 2692-226814Fax: (91)80-23600683, 23600685,Email: rmpatel14679@gmail.comWebsite: htp://www.spuvvn.edut/v. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)Brief Profile:TERI was formally established in 1974 with the purpose of tackling and dealing with the immense and acuteproblems that mankind is likely to face within in the years ahead. TERI has created an environment that is enabling,dynamic and inspiring for the development of solutions to global problems in the fields of energy, environment andcurrent patterns of development, which are largely unsustainable. The Institute has grown substantially over theyears, particularly, since it launched its own research activities and established a base in New Delhi, its registeredheadquarters. The central element of TERI’s philosophy has been its reliance on entrepreneurial skills to createbenefits for society through the development and dissemination of intellectual property. The strength of theInstitute lies in not only identifying and articulating intellectual challenges straddling a number of disciplines ofknowledge but also in mounting research, training and demonstration projects leading to development of specificproblem-based advanced technologies that help carry benefits to society at large.25

The Environmental Biotech Sector in India: an overview of research and activityThe Institute established the TERI University in 1998. Initially set-up as the TERI School of Advanced Studies,it received the status of a deemed university in 1999. The University is a unique institution of higher learningexclusively for programmes leading to PhD and Masters level degrees. Its uniqueness lies in the wealth of researchcarried out within TERI as well as by its faculty and students making it a genuinely research based University.The Energy-Environment Technology Development (EETD) Division of TERI focuses on products and services basedon renewable energy technologies and resource efficiency. The activities range from providing biomass-gasifierbasedelectricity in remote rural areas to promoting green concepts in the urban settings to utilizing biomass insmall- and micro-enterprises efficiently. The Division is involved in carrying out research on biomass-to-liquid fuels,value-added products from different biomass feedstocks, and bio-refinery wastes, and developing not only anefficient process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol but also biodegradable plastics and compositesand cost-effecive ash filters for sugar cane juice clarification and wastewater treatment. TERI has undertakenprojects with oil zapper technology for oil treatment in various refineries in India.Current Areas of Work:• Biomass Energy technology Applications• Renewable Energy technology Applications• Resource efficient process technology Applications• Science and TechnologyContact Details:TERIDarbari Seth BlockIndia Habitat Centre, Lodhi RoadNew Delhi 110 003Phone: +91- 11- 2468 2100 and 41504900Fax: +91-11- 2468 2144 and 2468 2145Email: mailbox@teri.res.inWebsite: http://www.teriin.org/26