A Milestone for Green Energy in Northeast India
Guwahati, Assam — September 6, 2025:
In a major leap toward India’s clean energy goals, Engineers India Limited (EIL) has announced the mechanical completion of the Assam biorefinery project, a flagship initiative to produce ethanol from bamboo and other lignocellulosic feedstocks. This achievement marks a significant step in transforming the energy infrastructure and boosting sustainable fuel production in the Northeast region.
The Assam biorefinery project, located in Numaligarh, is the first of its kind in India and will play a critical role in the country’s ethanol blending roadmap.
What is the Assam Biorefinery Project?
India’s First Bamboo-Based Ethanol Facility
The Assam biorefinery project is being developed as a joint venture between:
- Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL)
- Fortum (Finland-based clean energy company)
- Chempolis Oy (technology provider)
- And Engineers India Limited (EIL) as the EPC consultant
The refinery is designed to produce 49,000 tonnes of ethanol per annum, using 2.5 lakh tonnes of bamboo as feedstock sourced from local farmers and bamboo growers.
“Mechanical completion of the project is a major achievement. It reflects our commitment to India’s green energy goals,” said Vartika Shukla, CMD of EIL.
Key Highlights of the Assam Biorefinery Project
Technological Innovation Meets Local Development
- Feedstock: Primarily bamboo sourced locally, supporting agro-economy
- Capacity: 49,000 TPA of ethanol
- Location: Numaligarh, Assam
- Technology: Chempolis’ patented biorefining tech
- Environmental Benefit: Reduction of carbon footprint through biofuel adoption
- Employment: Expected to generate over 500 direct and indirect jobs
The project aligns with the National Policy on Biofuels (2018), which aims to blend 20% ethanol with petrol by 2025.
Boosting Ethanol Production in the Northeast
Strategic Push for Energy Independence
The Assam biorefinery project is a strategic investment in the Northeast’s potential to become a bioeconomy hub. Currently, most ethanol production in India is concentrated in sugarcane-growing states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. This project changes the game by leveraging bamboo—abundant in the Northeast—as an efficient, sustainable alternative.
This shift also supports energy decentralization, which helps reduce dependency on fossil fuels and improves local resilience against global oil price volatility.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Empowering Local Communities
By sourcing bamboo from local farmers, the project ensures a sustainable supply chain while creating income-generating opportunities for rural populations in Assam and nearby states.
“It’s not just a refinery—it’s a rural development engine,” noted Manoj Deka, a bamboo cooperative leader in Golaghat.
In terms of environmental impact, the use of renewable biomass reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly compared to traditional fossil fuels.
Engineers India Limited’s Role
EIL as the Backbone of the Project
Engineers India Limited, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, served as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) consultant for the project.
Their scope included:
- Project design
- Procurement of major equipment
- Construction supervision
- Safety and quality management
- Commissioning assistance
With the mechanical completion now confirmed, the project moves toward the pre-commissioning and start-up phase, expected to be finalized by Q4 2025.
What Happens Next?
Operational Readiness by Year-End
Following mechanical completion, the next steps include:
- Pre-commissioning checks
- Trial runs of major process units
- Environmental compliance certification
- Commercial commissioning by December 2025
The refinery will then begin supplying ethanol to oil marketing companies (OMCs) under India’s biofuel policy.
Support Green Energy in Your Region
The Assam biorefinery project proves that sustainable innovation, rural empowerment, and industrial development can go hand-in-hand. But to ensure long-term success, public participation and awareness are essential.
Are you a bamboo grower? Connect with procurement channels.
Are you in the fuel business? Explore partnerships in bioethanol supply.
Are you a citizen? Spread awareness about green fuel and its benefits.
A New Chapter for India’s Green Future
With the mechanical completion of the Assam biorefinery project, Engineers India Limited and its partners have laid the foundation for a bio-based industrial revolution in the Northeast. It’s a milestone that not only addresses energy needs but also uplifts communities, protects the environment, and accelerates India’s path to energy self-reliance.
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