IIT Mandi team uses orange peel hydrochar for biofuel precursors

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi have used hydrochar derived from orange peels to speed up the conversion of biomass-derived chemicals into biofuel precursors, which will likely help overcome the “socio-political instabilities associated with dwindling petroleum reserves”.

The development of such catalysts for biomass conversion bodes well for the biofuel sector in the country. Already a pioneer in biomass-based power, in 2015, India had announced its goal to achieve 15 GW of power from biomass, small hydropower and waste-to-energy plants.

Within five years, the country has already achieved the 10 GW target of biomass power.