On 14 September 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first bamboo-based bio-refinery at Numaligarh Refinery, Golaghat district, Assam. Developed by Assam Bio-Ethanol Private Limited (ABEL) — a joint venture of NRL, Finland’s Fortum, and Chempolis OY — the ₹5,000 crore project is the world’s first zero-waste bioethanol plant using bamboo.
- Annual Production Capacity: 48,900 MT ethanol, 11,000 TPA acetic acid, 19,000 TPA furfural, 31,000 MT food-grade CO₂.
- Technology: 2G bio-refining using enzymatic hydrolysis & fermentation.
- Green Energy: Generates 25 MW of electricity.
- Economic Impact: Boost of ₹200 crore annually to Assam’s rural economy; support for 50,000+ bamboo farmers; thousands of jobs.
- Significance: Strengthens ethanol blending program, reduces crude oil imports, and promotes bamboo cultivation after its reclassification from tree to grass.
