Munters supports India's first bamboo ethanol refinery
Jan 25, 2024
India is taking a bold step toward energy independence with the development of its first full-scale bamboo-based ethanol refinery, supported by Munters. The facility, located in Assam, officially opened in 2025.
India aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2070, and bioethanol is a key part of its strategy to decarbonize the transportation sector.
Fueled by bamboo, which grows abundantly in northeastern India, the refinery will process 300,000 tons of bamboo annually. This will yield 60 million liters of bioethanol, 30,000 tons of biochemicals for use in paints, adhesives, and plastics, and generate green power for local use. The zero-waste facility will also produce valuable byproducts such as furfural, acetic acid, and food-grade CO₂.
Munters has played a key role in the project, providing advanced mass transfer technology to ensure efficient and sustainable operations. “Biofuels are the future, and we are proud to support this pioneering initiative,” says Sujata Wuthoo, Head of Munters Clean Technologies in India.
India plans to replicate this model with 12 biorefineries across the country, reducing dependence on imported oil and empowering local farmers through bamboo cultivation and procurement programs.
This project not only marks a technological milestone but also represents a powerful example of how innovation, sustainability, and rural development can go hand in hand.
