INDIA’S FIRST GREEN METHANOL PLANT (KUTCH)

NEWS: India is setting up its first green methanol plant using an invasive weed Prosopis juliflora in Kutch (Gujarat).

Prosopis juliflora

• Origin: Mexico
• Known as: Gando Baval (Kutch), Vilayati Keekar (North India), Seemai Karuvelam (Tamil Nadu)
• Introduced: 1920s (British) → Greening Delhi, 1961 (Gujarat) → Stop desert expansion
• Highly invasive → destroys native grasslands (Banni region)
• Listed among top 100 invasive speci
• es globally

Green Methanol

• Methanol = fuel used in ships (alternative to bunker oil)
• Types: Conventional methanol → fossil fuels (coal/gas), Green methanol → biomass (eco-friendly)
• Feedstock = Prosopis juliflora + agricultural residues

Project Details

• Location: Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla, Gujarat)
• Production: 5 tonnes/day
• Companies: Thermax Energy, Ankur Scientific
• Driven by: India’s Green Port policy, International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations

How It Works

• Gasification: Biomass → Syngas (H₂ + CO + CO₂)
• Conversion: Syngas → Methanol fuel

Environmental Benefits

• CO₂ emissions ↓ up to 95%
• NOx ↓ up to 80%
• Eliminates: Sulphur oxides, Particulate matter= Very important for clean shipping