Connect with:
Sunday / February 23. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
Home2023 (Page 37)
Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, Japan

Toyota set up an experimental greenhouse in April 2022 at its Kamigo Plant to grow strawberries and at its Myochi plant to grow tomatoes

Toyota has taken a unique approach to sustainability by implementing initiatives in its factories to cultivate strawberries and cherry tomatoes using heat and CO2 waste, in addition to focusing on electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Toyota has set up an experimental greenhouse in April 2022 at its Kamigo Plant to grow strawberries and at its Myochi plant to grow tomatoes as a way to tackle the negative environmental impact of excess heat and CO2.

Toyota’s planters are built on sliders, maximising available space and increasing yield by 1.5 times compared to a similarly sized field. The design eliminates wasted space between planters and allows growers to create aisles when and where needed.

Farmers need not worry about Toyota meddling in their business. Toyota serves strawberries and cherry tomatoes grown in its factories for free in its cafeterias. The company aims to use its expertise to help farmers build efficient agricultural systems, says Hiroshi Okajima, Toyota Project General Manager, R&D and Engineering Management Division.

Toyota uses pink LEDs to grow fruit without the green tint, which isn’t necessary for photosynthesis.

Automakers can pursue eco-friendly practices by repurposing waste and using recycled materials in vehicle manufacturing, including fishing nets and plastics. They could also explore agricultural initiatives.

Toyota set up an experimental greenhouse in

Company News, R&D, World

Dodhylex active is the first active ingredient in the HRAC/WSSA Group 28 and the first new herbicide with a novel mode of action in the industry

FMC Corporation, a leading global agricultural sciences company, announced Dodhylex active (pronounced DOH’-deh-leks) as the global brand name for tetflupyrolimet, a new mode of action herbicide effective on the most challenging grass weeds in rice.

“The global brand will ensure growers around the world recognise this novel mode of action in the newest herbicide products FMC expects to begin launching in 2025,” said Diane Allemang, FMC executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Growers worldwide will have the confidence that products powered by Dodhylex active contain FMC’s patented active ingredient that’s backed by seven years of research, development and field testing.”

The Dodhylex name is derived from the site of action – dihydroorotate dehydrogenase – combined with the flexibility of use in both transplanted and direct-seeded rice and the herbicide’s ability to block the nutrients needed for the weed to survive.

“Dodhylex active is the first active ingredient in the HRAC/WSSA Group 28 and the first new herbicide with a novel mode of action in the industry in over three decades,” said Seva Rostovtsev, vice president and chief technology officer. “This new mode of action herbicide was discovered at the FMC Stine Research Centre and is a testament to FMC’s commitment to innovation and our disciplined approach to advancing the most promising new molecules. The molecule is a significant advancement for the agriculture industry as it will help combat resistant weeds.”

Studies show Dodhylex actively provides season-long control of important grass weeds in the rice market, as well as key broadleaf weeds and sedges. FMC is also testing Dodhylex active in other crops, including sugarcane, wheat, soybean and corn. 

Dodhylex active is the first active ingredient

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, World

Icos Capital Fund IV will be focused on new and emerging technologies in the areas of sustainable industry, decarbonisation technologies, circular economy, and sustainable food systems

Nouryon, a global speciality chemicals leader, announced that it will invest in Icos Capital Fund IV, a collaborative venture capital fund connecting corporations and financial institutions with start-ups that have a potential for fast growth. The investment strategy of the Icos Capital Fund IV will be focused on new and emerging technologies in the areas of sustainable industry, decarbonisation technologies, circular economy, and sustainable food systems.

“At Nouryon, we are focused on offering innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers,” said Philip Clark, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Nouryon. “Our investment with Icos provides Nouryon with an effective way of screening a very large number of start-ups and emerging technologies that are in and adjacent to our key end-markets with a focus on accelerating sustainability.”

Nouryon’s corporate partnership with Icos Capital goes back to 2017 with its original investment in Icos Capital Fund III, which has enabled several strategic partnership discussions and insights into innovation critical to Nouryon.

Icos Capital is active in the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and Germany, with activities across Europe. Icos Capital Fund IV will expand its geographic reach to other parts of the world, including North America, and its corporate partners will play an important role in setting the fund strategy, as well as identifying and evaluating the start-ups.

Icos Capital Fund IV will be focused

Acquaculture, India, Live Stock, R&D

Between June and September 2022, the project’s fish breeding team produced more than 7 million mola hatchlings

At WorldFish, scientists achieved a significant milestone in June 2022 by successfully inducing the breeding of mola for the first time in India at its partner hatchery, Biswal Aquatech in Odisha, standardising breeding protocol for mola. The breakthrough involved designing breeding tanks fed with a steady shower of oxygen-rich water from an aeration tower to improve breeding and larval survival.

The innovation opened the door for mass mola production with minimal risk of animal disease spread, improving availability and access to nutrient-rich food in rural communities in Odisha.

Between June and September 2022, the project’s fish breeding team produced more than 7 million mola hatchlings, which were either sold or distributed free of charge to farmers, who used them primarily for household consumption and sale. Aiming to benefit women in particular, the project collaborated with the Odisha Government’s Mission Shakti initiative, distributing approximately 15,000 fries to women’s self-help groups for stocking in publicly owned tanks.

“Previously, mola was absent in our gram panchayat tank. After the introduction of mola in our pond by WorldFish and the Department of Fisheries, we are able to harvest and consume mola frequently,” said Gurubari Khilar, a mother of two young children and a member of Maa Manasa Women Self-Help Group that received the mola fry from the hatchery.

“This success has motivated other Mission Shakti self-help groups in the area to take up fish farming in gram panchayat tanks on a large-scale basis. The technical collaboration with WorldFish was very instrumental in the successful implementation of this scheme,” said, Sujata R Karthikeyan, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha.

Between June and September 2022, the project’s

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

The delegation also discussed various issues and opportunities for cooperation in the aquaculture and fisheries sector

A high-level delegation led by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries and other senior officers is on a visit to Norway for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between India and Norway in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. After attending the Opening Ceremony of the Aqua Nor 2023 trade show at Trondheim Spektrum, Klostergata, which is one of the world’s largest trade shows for aquaculture technology and innovation, the delegation visited AquaGen, a research-oriented breeding company that develops, manufactures, delivers genetic starter material and fertilised eggs to the global aquaculture industry. Parshottam Rupala, and Dr. L. Murugan, discussed opportunities for joint collaboration with Knut Roflo, CEO, AquaGen.  

Parshottam Rupala and Dr. L. Murugan interacted with the Indian participants at the exhibition, who displayed their products and services related to aquaculture and fisheries. Parshottam Rupala appreciated the efforts of the Indian exhibitors in promoting the quality and diversity of Indian aquaculture and fisheries products in the global market. The delegation also discussed various issues and opportunities for cooperation in the aquaculture and fisheries sector.

The delegation also discussed various issues and

Agrotech, Company News, IT, North America

Company launches, PheNode® the next-generation environmental sensor platform to enable the swift integration of emerging technologies across various climate-smart industries, such as real-time carbon measurements and advanced crop modelling.

Agrela Ecosystems, a startup launched by Nadia Shakoor, PhD, principal investigator, at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced the pilot launch of its flagship product, PheNode®. This milestone marks the first step towards a full-scale commercial release set for 2025. PheNode is an advanced, scalable environmental sensor platform designed to empower users with customizable data collection and the rapid integration of new technologies. Already creating a buzz, the platform is now collecting data and generating customer feedback, preparing to revolutionize the field with its optimized, modular sensor technology.

 In aligning with the principles of Industry 4.0, often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution characterized by smart systems and digitization, PheNode incorporates cutting-edge technology to redefine data collection standards, opening endless opportunities for advancement in various sectors.

PheNode has already gathered an impressive range of customers, from the Taylor Geospatial Institute at Saint Louis University to the globally respected Salk Institute’s Harnessing Plants Initiative in San Diego, CA. Back at home, the Danforth Center is deploying PheNode technology within its own realm, collecting vital data from its Creve Coeur campus and St. Charles-based field research site. The momentum doesn’t stop there; PheNode is also set to play a pivotal role in community projects. In collaboration with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Innovation Center and the University of Illinois Extension, PheNode will be an integral part of the USDA NIFA-funded FANE Summer Camp initiative. This groundbreaking project seeks to ignite the passion of young minds towards food and agricultural technologies, underlining the transformative impact these advancements can have on our world.

Despite being in its nascent pilot phase, Agrela has already recorded an impressive $250,000 in revenue through the sales of its game changing PheNode technology and related services. This initial traction reinforces the belief that they could be addressing a long-standing gap in the market. Agrela Ecosystems’ founders envision a shift from traditional ‘closed’ sensor platforms to a more inclusive ‘open platform’. This open approach will enable the swift integration of emerging technologies across various climate-smart industries, such as real-time carbon measurements and advanced crop modeling.

Agrela Ecosystems’ initial seed funding was successfully garnered from BioGenerator Ventures and the Danforth Technology Company. Agrela’s President, Bill Kezele, celebrates this achievement, remarking, “The Danforth Technology Company and BioGenerator Ventures recognized the potential of PheNode, which served as a stepping stone to our early success. This support enables us to publicly share our efforts with those who can benefit now as we continue enhancing the system and expanding into new markets.”

“Agrela firmly believes in the importance of accurate, research-grade data, and is committed to offering quality products and services. Our aim is to embolden users, channelling PheNode’s environmental data into their chosen platforms for analysis and visualization. In doing so, we are enabling them to create tailor-made data collection tools that better align with their unique requirements,” elaborates Shakoor.

While originally designed to address quantitative gaps in remote field phenotyping, it has been discovered that PheNode effectively meets the growing demand for scalable, customizable data capture across a broad spectrum of industries, far beyond its initial agricultural roots.

Company launches, PheNode® the next-generation environmental sensor

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, India

Sperto provides remarkable efficacy in managing a wide range of pests, including whitefly, aphids, jassids, semi looper, and girdle beetles.

 Mumbai based agrochemical company, SWAL Corporation Ltd. has announced the launch of a new product Sperto designed for soybean and cotton crops in India. Utilising a WG formulation that rapidly dissolves in water, Sperto is a combination of Acetamiprid 25% and Bifenthrin 25% Wettable Granules (WG). With a reduced dosage requirement per acre, Sperto proves to be an economical remedy, advocating sustainable farming methods. The WG formulation ensures effortless handling and eradicates the hazard of spillage, drift, or dust formation during the application, leading to healthier air and soil quality. It is ecologically safe and harmless to applicators, setting it apart from other competitively priced alternatives.

The product provides remarkable efficacy in managing a wide range of pests, including whitefly, aphids, jassids, semi looper, and girdle beetles. Its dual mode of action effectively thwarts pest resistance, ensuring a sustainable and enduring approach to pest management while reducing the need for frequent applications. For better results, it is recommended to apply Sperto 40-45 days after sowing in cotton and 20-25 days after sowing in soybean during the Kharif season.

 Pankaj Joshi, Business Head of SWAL, said: “The launch of Sperto is yet another step towards enabling farmers to nurture their fields in harmony with nature, all the while ensuring effective pest management. Beyond the environmental benefits, the adoption of Sperto will help farmers achieve not only better yields but also increased profitability.”

Sperto provides remarkable efficacy in managing a

Company News, Horticulture, India, Supply Chain

Westfalia ripe and ready-to-eat avocados will be available in a special punnet and consumers can be assured of consistent quality and ripeness

Westfalia Fruit India announced the launch of its first Avocado ripening facility in Mumbai, India. This will allow the company to supply avocados that are ready to eat to consumers in Mumbai and neighbouring areas.

The dedicated ripening chamber has been built in Navi Mumbai, near the APMC market and was launched at a ceremony. In addition to the Westfalia Fruit India leadership team, the launch ceremony was attended by leading fruit distributors, wholesalers, offline retailers, and e-commerce operators.

Westfalia Fruit India has established itself as the market leader and largest importer of avocados in India. Westfalia Fruit started its India journey last year and has already supplied over 1,000 MT of avocados to the Indian market in 2023. This year also marks the first year of commercial harvest of Indian-grown Hass avocados. Over the next few years, over 500 acres of our existing Hass avocado plantations in Southern India will come into production, enabling consistent year-round availability of avocados for consumers.

Speaking at the launch, Zac Bard, Director – Westfalia Fruit India, said that “Avocado ripeness has been a challenge for both retailers and consumers in India. Many consumers in India are not sure when is the perfect time to eat an avocado. Retailers also at times are unaware of how to differently handle Hass avocados at different stages of their ripeness. Our perfectly ripened avocados will look to address this gap in the market.”

“Westfalia ripe and ready-to-eat avocados will be available in a special punnet and consumers can be assured of consistent quality and ripeness. This ripening facility will be a milestone in India and will change the way avocados are marketed and consumed”, added Zac.

“Westfalia Fruit India is excellently placed to offer avocados consistently from multiple origins all year round mentioned,” GVK Naidu, Director – Westfalia Fruit India and MD of Sam Agri group, the Indian JV partners of Westfalia. “This ripening facility in Mumbai is just the start and in the coming months, we will have similar facilities in other major metros of the country,” added Naidu.

Westfalia ripe and ready-to-eat avocados will be

Agrotech, Biostimulants, R&D

Experts will provide strategic guidance on research programs and initiatives, shaping research agendas to secure funding and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs.

The World BioProtection Research Foundation is proud to announce the selection of seven distinguished professionals from around the world to join its inaugural Program Advisory Council of Experts (PACE). The selection follows a rigorous international search, attracting exceptional talents in the fields of bioprotection, soil and marine microbiology, and related disciplines.

The newly appointed members of the PACE will play a pivotal role in driving the Foundation’s mission forward. They will provide strategic guidance on research programs and initiatives, shaping research agendas to secure funding and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs. These experts will offer valuable advice and guidance to research teams, as well as participate in research project preparation. Furthermore, they will review and assess research proposals and ongoing projects, providing constructive feedback to ensure the highest quality outcomes. The council members will actively identify collaboration opportunities with academic institutions and industry players, leveraging their networks and expertise to foster meaningful partnerships.

The PACE will consist of up to 12 members, each selected for their diverse expertise in bioprotection research, academia, industry, and project development. Seven world class experts have joined the PACE, with the goal of providing leadership in setting the research agenda, evaluating progress, and making informed decisions to advance the foundation’s objectives:

Dr Zhibing Zhang PhD, Professor and Co-Director of the China Institute, University of Birmingham School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Dr K Annapurna PhD, Former Head, Division of Microbiology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

Dr Dean Metcalfe PhD, Managing Director and Plant Pathologist, Metcalf BioControl, Molesworth, Tasmania, Australia.

Dr Aram Mikaelyan PhD, Assistant Professor of Entomology, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

Dr Kiran P. Raverkar PhD, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture &Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India

Dr Rajan Sharma PhD, Principal Scientist and Cluster Leader – Crop Protection & Seed Health, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Dr D R W Kandula PhD, Research Fellow, Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand

Professor Shashi Sharma, Founder Chairman of the World Bioprotection Research Foundation said, “Our vision is to harness the power of microbes and global research expertise to revolutionise pest and disease management, safeguard soil and plant health, and promote planetary well-being. The formation of the Program Advisory Council of Experts is a significant step towards realising this vision”.

Experts will provide strategic guidance on research

AgroPolicy, Sugar industry, Supply Chain

The additional sugar in the domestic market will ensure reasonable prices all over the country

Keeping in view the strong demand for sugar for the upcoming festivals of Onam, Raksha Bandhan, and Krishna Janmashtami, the additional quota of 2 LMT (over and above 23.5 LMT already allocated for August 2023) is being allocated for August 2023. The additional sugar in the domestic market will ensure reasonable prices all over the country.

Despite a 25 per cent increase in international sugar prices in the last year, the average retail price of sugar in the country is about ₹ 43.30 per kg and is likely to remain in range bound only. There has been less than 2 per cent annual inflation in the country in sugar prices in the last 10 years.

During the current Sugar Season (Oct-Sep) 2022-23, India is estimated to have produced of 330 LMT sugar after the diversion of about 43 LMT for ethanol production. Domestic consumption is expected to be around 275 LMT.

At the present stage, India has sufficient sugar stock to meet its domestic demand for the remaining months of the current SS 2022-23 and the optimum closing stock of 60 LMT (sufficient to meet sugar consumption for 2 ½ months) will be available at the end of this season i.e. 30.09.2023.

The recent increase in sugar prices will cool down soon as each year during July-Sep, just before next season, prices increase and then come down on the start of cane crushing. Thus, the price rise in sugar is very nominal and for a short duration.

The additional sugar in the domestic market

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, India

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviews the availability and use of fertilisers in India 

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Health & Family Welfare interacted with State Agriculture Ministers on the availability and use of fertilisers in the country. During the meeting, he also reviewed the progress of nano urea, nano DAP and the promotion of alternate fertilisers at the field level and steps initiated by the States in this regard.

At the outset, Dr Mandaviya informed all the States that there is adequate availability of fertilisers in the country with the present level of 150 LMT stocks. This stock will not only take care of the ongoing Kharif Season but will also ensure a comfortable opening for the forthcoming Rabi Season.

Dr Mandaviya highlighted the necessity of reducing the excessive use of chemical fertilisers to save soil. He reiterated that Union Government has already taken a step in the form of the PM PRANAM scheme. The efforts also include the introduction of slow-release Sulphur Coated Urea (Urea Gold), nano urea, nano DAP etc. to promote the use of alternate fertilisers to save mother earth. The State Government expressed the willingness to be active participants in this resolve.

There was a discussion on the initiative of PMKSKs across the country which are acting as One-Stop-Shop catering to all the needs of farmers in one place. He appealed to all the State Agriculture Ministers and State Government Officials to regularly visit these PMKSKs and spread awareness among farmers.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviews the availability and

Agro Universities, India, R&D

The bag comes with an easy and quick release mechanism. It reduces the number of trips by easy loading and unloading of produce in bulk.

An MoU was signed for handing over of Easy Harvest Bag technology between ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar and Maa Sarala Tailoring, Salia Sahi, Ekamra Vihar, Bhubaneswar.To minimize the occupational health hazards ICAR-CIWA Bhubaneswar team has developed the women friendly technology of “CIWA- Easy Harvest Bag”. The easy harvesting bag takes into consideration the anthropometric dimensions of Indian females and male also. The bag comes with an easy and quick release mechanism. It reduces the number of trips by easy loading and unloading of produce in bulk.

Dr Mridula Devi, Director ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar encouraged the women entrepreneur to utilize technology “CIWA- Easy Harvest Bag” as a mode to enhance the family income and livelihood security. Director CIWA also assured her that all possible hand holding encompassing forward and backward linkages will be extended to her for ensuring Economic Empowerment.

The bag comes with an easy and

Agrotech, Climate, Company News, World

AI-powered S2S model delivers new breakthrough levels of reliability and predictability in long-range weather forecasts

Salient Predictions, a leading pioneer in weather forecasting analytics, is adapting to increasing climate volatility by setting new standards in long-range weather prediction with a major upgrade to its revolutionary forecasting solution, the sub-seasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) model, to deliver forecasts two to 52 weeks in advance. Developed by a leading team of scientists and engineers, the cutting-edge AI model employs the power of AI and calibration to create reliable probabilistic distributions and empower decision-makers to navigate weather-related challenges and opportunities with greater confidence. 

“Global climate change is spurring volatile weather patterns around the world,” said Matt Stein, co-founder and CEO of Salient. “This is presenting urgent challenges in weather forecasting and analytics. A substantial upgrade to our S2S model and a breakthrough for the industry, this release addresses these pressing issues, delivering major improvements in temperature, precipitation, and other forecasting variables. Salient’s new forecasting model stands out for its exceptional accuracy and reliability with new capabilities that enable confident decisions with long-range forecasts amidst unprecedented weather patterns.”

In the face of pressing global warming challenges, the new S2S model provides indispensable tools to address climate-related risks and vulnerabilities. The accuracy improvements for temperature and precipitation outperform benchmark models such as NOAA’s Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and climatology. Accuracy excels in sub-seasonal weekly forecasts, enhancing its value in critical decision-making scenarios for commodity trading, agronomic decisions, renewable energy production, and more. Based on a comparison of the Continuous Ranked Probability Score (CRPS) to reference models, the accuracy gain can reach up to 50 per cent.

With its reliable probabilistic forecasts, the new model better equips stakeholders across various sectors from agriculture, energy, finance, and beyond with the knowledge to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events, optimise resource management, and prioritise climate adaptation strategies.

AI-powered S2S model delivers new breakthrough levels

AgroPolicy, Biofuel industry, India

Additionally, Rs 6000 crore can be saved annually by blending 20 per cent DME

Methanol is a low-carbon, hydrogen carrier fuel produced from high ash coal, agricultural residue, CO2 from thermal power plants and natural gas. It is the best pathway for meeting India’s commitment to COP 21.

NITI Aayog’s ‘Methanol Economy’ programme is aimed at reducing India’s oil import bill, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and converting coal reserves and municipal solid waste into methanol. 

Although slightly lower in energy content than petrol and diesel, methanol can replace both these fuels in the transport sector (road, rail and marine), energy sector (comprising DG sets, boilers, process heating modules, tractors and commercial vehicles) and retail cooking (replacing LPG [partially], kerosene and wood charcoal). The blending of 15 per cent methanol in gasoline can result in at least a 15 per cent reduction in the import of gasoline/crude oil. In addition, this would bring down GHG emissions by 20 per cent in terms of particulate matter, NOx, and SOx, thereby improving the urban air quality.

The methanol Economy will also create close to 5 million jobs through methanol production/application and distribution services. Additionally, Rs 6000 crore can be saved annually by blending 20 per cent DME (Di-methyl Ether, a derivative of methanol) in LPG. This will help the consumer in saving between Rs 50-100 per cylinder.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has notified 20 per cent DME blending with LPG, and a notification for M-15, M-85 and M-100 blends has been issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways. Test standards and plans for the M-15 blend are being evolved in consultation with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the Automotive Research Association of India and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. In the railway sector, RDSO is working towards blending methanol in the range of 5-20 per cent through direct fuel injection in locomotives.

On 5 October 2018, Assam Petrochemicals launched Asia’s first canister-based methanol cooking fuel programme. This initiative is an extension of our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of reducing the import of crude oil and striving towards the provision of a clean, cost-effective and pollution-free cooking medium. Methanol stoves can result in at least 20% savings for households. After the success of the pilot, the methanol cooking programme was scaled up to 1,00,000 households in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Manipur.

Five methanol plants based on high ash coal, five DME plants, and one natural gas-based methanol production plant with a capacity of 20 MMT/annum, in a joint venture with Israel, have been planned to be set up. Three boats and seven cargo vessels are being built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Inland Waterways Authority of India to use methanol as a marine fuel.

Thermax Ltd has successfully developed a 5 KW methanol-based reformer on a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC). This module is being tested to replace DG sets in mobile towers. For direct electricity generation, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd has converted a 5 KW generator set to run on 100% methanol. Kirloskar is working towards converting generator sets of 150-300 KVA/KW capacity, in collaboration with Dor Chemicals, Israel.

Under R&D, work is in progress to set up coal-to-methanol plants in the country using indigenous technology, which is being developed by BHEL (Hyderabad and Trichy), Thermax, and IIT Delhi. Thermax and IIT Delhi are working on a TPD demonstration plant, while BHEL Hyderabad and Trichy are working on 1 TPD and 40 TPD demonstration plants, respectively. 

An R&D project has also been sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology to IISc Bengaluru and Praj Industries Pune for the production of methanol from biomass. Phase-I of the production of syngas from biomass was demonstrated in January 2019.

Additionally, Rs 6000 crore can be saved