TCL gets technology to extract biodiesel from microalgae

Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) is the first private firm to enter into an agreement with the CSMCRI for cultivation of microalga species of chlorella genus and extract biodiesel from it.

CSMCRI scientists and TCL executives signed the agreement. The Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar has licensed its technology to extract crude oil from a species of microalga to Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL), Mumbai for production of automobile fuel.

As part of the agreement, CSMCRI will help TCL set up a facility in Mithapur in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat to cultivate an identified microalga species of chlorella genus in open marine environment and process the harvested microalgae biomass to extract crude oil.

Chlorella genus refers to some 13 species of single-celled green algae. The species, identified by CSMCRI, can grow in seawater as well as freshwater.

CSMCRI is a premier research laboratory functioning under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) headed by the Prime Minister.

Tata Chemicals has a huge salt cultivation facility called Charakla Saltworks on Devbhumi Dwarka coast to meet the chemical demands for its plant in Mithapur and for manufacturing other products like edible salt.