IIT-Guwahati Teams Up With Kaashyap Cleantech for Commercial Bio-Methanol Production

Guwahati: The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has entered into a partnership with Hyderabad based Kaashyap Cleantech Innovations to launch large-scale commercial production of bio-methanol. The project utilizes a specialized chemoautotrophic bacteria technology to convert methane and carbon dioxide into clean liquid fuel and industrial solvent.

A research team from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, led by Professor Debasish Das and scholar Krishna Kalyani Sahoo, developed the two-stage biological method. Unlike traditional chemical processes that require high energy and produce toxic waste, this technique functions under mild conditions without the need for chemical catalysts.

Testing confirms the environmental potential of the fuel. When used as a blend in four-stroke diesel engines, the bio-methanol reduced emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, and smoke by up to 87 percent compared to standard diesel.

IIT-Guwahati Director Devendra Jalihal noted that the technology offers a cost-effective path toward carbon mitigation. Kiran KK, managing director of Kaashyap Group, added that the ability to generate green fuel while capturing carbon dioxide makes the process a valuable tool for meeting global net-zero goals and carbon credit objectives.