New Delhi: The petroleum industry has urged ethanol producers to help convert ethanol into a viable cooking fuel, aiming to reduce India’s dependence on imported LPG.
Speaking at a conference of the All India Ethanol Manufacturers Association, Ravi, Director of the Petroleum Industry Federation, said efforts are under way to develop cooking stoves that run on ethanol. He noted that the LPG Equipment Testing Centre and several IITs are involved in the initiative, and prototype models are expected to be introduced soon.
He said that if ethanol use for cooking becomes practical at scale, it could significantly lower reliance on imported cooking gas. He called on the ethanol manufacturing sector to work closely with stove makers and to help ensure a cost-effective distribution chain that can reliably supply ethanol fuel to households.
At present, ethanol is being produced in large quantities and supplied to oil companies mainly for blending with petrol, he said, adding that a shift is needed. He also sought inputs from ethanol producers for a nationwide move towards ethanol as a cooking fuel.
Ravi further urged the sector to increase production of isobutanol for blending with diesel and to take steps towards producing sustainable aviation fuel.
