The biotechnology division of the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) here has set up a Centre for Biofuels. It will be a nodal centre for research in the field, a spokesman for NIIST said here on Friday.
The centre will also serve as a national facility for exclusive research and development activities in the larger area of bioenergy. It is already involved in research on developing alternative renewable transportation fuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel, the spokesman said.
An 80 kg/batch-capacity pilot plant for ethanol production from biomass including agro-residues and forestry byproducts has been set-up in the NIIST campus.