In a significant development aimed at boosting research in bio-fuels in the country with micro-algae technology, IndianOil and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have jointly set up the Centre for Advanced Bio-Energy Research at IndianOil’s R&D Centre at Faridabad. The IOC-DBT Centre has signed an agreement with LanzaTech of the US to further develop micro-algae technology.
This agreement was signed by Dr. D.K. Tuli, Executive Director and Centre Coordinator, IOC-DBT Centre, and Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, LanzaTech, in the presence of Mr. R.S. Butola, Chairman, Dr. RK Malhotra, Director (R&D), Mr. AMK Sinha, Director (Planning & Business Development), IndianOil, and Dr. Renu Swarup, Adviser, DBT.
The agreement entails development of an acetate-to-lipids pathway and evaluation of its suitability for LanzaTech’s CO2 gas fermentation technology. This research will enable tying up algae growth to the waste gas fermentation process of producing ethanol. All the patents and commercial rights are vested in the IOC-DBT Centre.
Microalgae are microscopic organisms capable of producing lipids which can be easily converted into liquid bio-fuels and even aviation fuels. Acetates, a byproduct of several commercial process, is a cost-effective source used for boosting algal growth. Realising the potential of microalgae to produce biofuels, extensive efforts are underway globally to improve the strains of microalgae and their growth profile. IndianOil, through its DBT-IOC Centre, has been actively pursuing development of microalgae as a source of alternative fuel.
The IOC-DBT Centre is committed to advanced bio-energy research addressing the second and third generation bio-fuels. LanzaTech is principally engaged in the development and commercialisation of bio-energy solutions.