Lok Sabha Question No. 1140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Blending of Ethanol
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, PARASURAMAN K., KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  DECEMBER, 2018

## Blending of Ethanol

## 1140.   SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY: SHRI K. PARASURAMAN: SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that blending of ethanol with petrol is reportedly  causing  a  big  damage  to  the  vehicle  Engine  which  is  leading  to  break  down  of Engine in the end and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) the details of the proportion of the ethanol and petrol mixing;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan of making any revision in mixing ethanol and petrol in view of the possible damage to the engine and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has adopted technology to produce Ethanol from Cellulose and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has considered the partnership with the foreign companies for  conducting collaborative Research and Development to boost ethanol production in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the innovative steps taken by the Government to increase the other sources of supply of ethanol apart from sugarcane?

## ANSWER

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h ¼Jh /kesZUnz iz/kku½

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

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- (a) to (c)  Government is implementing Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme through Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs).  Ethanol  blending  in  petrol  started  in  2003  with  5% blending. Studies were carried out by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to establish the vehicle performance of 10% ethanol blended petrol (E10). Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), after consultation with stakeholders concerned,  issued  fuel  specification  for  E10  blending  in  2014.  At  present,  Public  Sector

OMCs are selling 10% ethanol blended petrol.  Government has notified the National Policy on Biofuels - 2018 in June, 2018, which also provides for EBP Programme.

(d) & (e)  Government has opened alternate route for production of ethanol from cellulosic and  lignocellulosic  feedstock  (second  generation  ethanol).    Research  and  Development Wings of Public Sector  OMCs, Department of Biotechnology, etc. undertake  research and development work to boost ethanol production from second generation route.

(f)   In June, 2018, the Government has notified National Policy on Biofuels - 2018, which provides for ethanol production from other sources viz. sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum etc.; starch containing materials such as corn, cassava, rotten potatoes, algae etc.; cellulosic materials such as bagasse, wood waste, agricultural and forestry residues or  other  renewable  resources  like  industrial  waste  including  petrochemical  route;  damaged food grains, surplus food grains during surplus season and fruit & vegetable wastes.

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