First greenfield ethanol plant inaugurated in Bihar

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated a greenfield grain-based ethanol plant built at a cost of $1.37 million at Purnea. The project is a part of Bihar’s ambitious foray into ethanol production using sugarcane, maize and rice to meet the country’s fuel needs.

The ethanol plant has been built using the latest technology and will not discharge any waste, making it a zero-liquid discharge plant that is completely environment friendly. It was commissioned under the Government of India and the Bihar dispensation’s ethanol promotion policies announced in 2021.

The plant will buy 130 tons of rice husk and 145-150 tons of maize or rice directly from local farmers. It will generate direct employment to 52 people and create avenues of earning for hundreds of others in the area.