Shimla-based Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) has developed a new technology in which ethanol will be produced from potato waste and peels. This ethanol can prove to be an effective and cheap fuel for the environment. According to reports, CPRI is soon going to start a pilot plant of this technology, which will test the production of fuel from potato waste.
India is the second largest potato producer in the world. About 10-15% of the total potato production gets spoiled or wasted, making it an ideal feedstock for ethanol production. Earlier, ethanol was mostly produced from sugarcane and maize, but now potatoes can be added to this list. The National Biofuel Policy also states spoiled potatoes as a suitable feedstock for making ethanol.
“India has the largest network of cold storage facilities for potatoes and a huge quantity of potato waste is suitable for ethanol production,” said CPRI scientist Dharmendra Kumar.
Potato production and wastage in India
India produces about 56 million tons of potatoes every year. About 8-10% of this is converted into potato chips, fries and other processed products. At the same time, 20-25% of the total production is wasted, which amounts to about 11-14 million metric tons. The reason for this is poor storage facilities, problems in transportation and improper handling.
Where will the pilot plant be located?
Scientists believe that this pilot plant can be set up in potato processing areas like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal or Gujarat, as potatoes are produced in the highest quantity here. Ethanol will be produced in this plant using potato waste and inferior potatoes.
How will ethanol be made from potatoes? Scientists say that the starch and peels left after peeling potatoes in the potato processing plant will be used to make ethanol. The starch present in the water after peeling potatoes will also play an important role in this process.
Why is this scheme important? Making ethanol from potatoes is not only a good use of waste, but it can also be a new and cheap fuel option for India. This will not only reduce dependence on fuel imports, but will also greatly benefit the environment.