Mysuru: Karnataka is accelerating its biofuel mission through its State Biofuel Policy 2025-26 and strategic international collaborations, said SE Sudheendra, Chairman of the Karnataka State Bio-Energy Development Board, on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the recent MoU with German universities will not only enhance biofuel research and production in Karnataka but also expand the state’s global footprint in the renewable energy sector. This partnership, he added, would strengthen energy security and promote sustainable environmental practices.
Sudheendra was speaking at the Biofuel Research Information and Demonstration Centre (BRIDC) at the National Institute of Engineering (NIE) in Mysuru during a progress review meeting led by Prof Shyam Sundar and his expert team. He also flagged off biofuel-powered vehicles and toured the biogas unit located on the campus.
He highlighted the board’s commitment to enhancing green cover, preserving soil and water, and reducing greenhouse emissions by replacing fossil fuels with biofuels. The new policy offers incentives like tax exemptions and rebates to encourage producers to utilize sugarcane juice, damaged grains, and non-edible oil seeds for making ethanol and biodiesel.
To draw investments, the board has engaged in discussions with local and international stakeholders. A recent two-day global conference on sustainable technologies, jointly organized by NIE, Dortmund University (Germany), and IIE, brought together over 100 experts to explore advanced biofuel solutions.
A Karnataka delegation is set to visit Germany soon to formalize collaborative R&D efforts.
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