HPCL and state oil firms advance India biodiesel and bioethanol initiatives

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is progressing with its Rs 1,400-crore second-generation bioethanol project in Bathinda, Punjab. The facility, located in Nasibpura village, is entering its final trial phase with a target for full commissioning by March 2027. The plant utilizes lignocellulosic technology to convert agricultural waste, specifically paddy straw, into ethanol for petrol blending. It is designed to process two lakh tonnes of biomass annually to produce 100 kilolitres of ethanol per day.

In a separate move to support national blending programmes, state-run oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and HPCL have issued a joint tender for 15 crore litres of biodiesel. The procurement, valued at an indicative Rs 1,320 crore, is intended for the period between November 2026 and January 2027. The tender covers B100 biodiesel produced from used cooking oil or other feedstocks, to be delivered across 85 locations in India.