IndianOil To Set Up Advanced Bioenergy Research Center

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and the Government of India have signed an agreement to set up a bioenergy research center at Faridabad.

AsianScientist (Aug. 21, 2011) – Indian Oil Corporation Ltd inked a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and the Government of India to set up a DBT–IOC Center for Advanced Research on Bio-energy.

The MoA was signed at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi, by Dr. R K Malhotra, Director (R&D) of IndianOil and Dr. Renu Swarup, Advisor to DBT, in the presence of DBT Secretary Dr. M. K. Bhan and IndianOil Chairman Mr. R. S. Butola.

“Second generation biofuels will fill the gap in energy space in the future,” DBT Secretary Dr. Bhan said.

However, Dr. Bhan also emphasized the need to pool talent not only within the country, but also across the globe, and to converge the strengths of various disciplines of biological sciences.

Mr. Butola, Chairman of IndianOil, stressed on the need and necessity to have a Center of Bio-energy Research.

“Breakthroughs are needed to replace oil with plant based fuels and hope lies on biotechnological interventions and creation of this center is expected to fulfill our aspirations in this regard,” Butola said.

Dr. Malhotra, Director of R&D at IndianOil, emphasized the need for second and third generation biofuels development. He assured that the scientists at the Center will accept this challenge and will put all efforts to make this a successful venture.

The Advanced Bioenergy Research Center is the second such center being set up by DBT, the first was at Institute of Chemical Technology at Mumbai.

This center will be built at IndianOil’s R&D complex at Faridabad and will cost Rs. 53 crores (US$11.6 million) for five years of operation. DBT will share half of the cost involved. Initially the Center will have Ph.D. scholars, senior researchers, and invited distinguished scientists from India & abroad.

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Source: Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
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