HPCL inks pact with Sea6 Energy to convert seaweed biomass into fuels

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Government-owned oil major HPCL and Sea6 Energy Private Limited have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for R&D collaboration to take up joint development and commercialisation of technologies for valorising seaweed biomass, according to a company statement issued on Wednesday.

Under this MoU, HPCL will develop and scale up technologies jointly with Sea6 Energy for the conversion of seaweed biomass into fuels and chemicals. While these technologies are being developed and piloted, Sea6 Energy will also work on the upstream portion of making seaweed farming and harvesting more cost-effective.

Seaweeds provide an attractive alternative to traditional biomass as far as biofuel production is concerned because it doesn’t compete with food security, does not require fertilisers or irrigation, and can be practised in areas unsuitable for traditional agriculture such as coastlines. Moreover, seaweeds grow much faster than terrestrial crops, with some species capable of doubling their biomass in just a few days and they are an excellent option for carbon capture for meeting India’s net-zero commitments by 2070.

HPCL has set up its state-of-the-art HP Green R&D Centre in Bengaluru and is carrying out research in various areas related to petroleum refining, development of novel catalysts & additives, biofuels, alternate energy, nanotechnology, etc. and has developed patented technologies and products for various applications.

Sea6 Energy Private Limited headquartered in Bengaluru, was founded in 2010 to develop innovative solutions for key global problems. Over the last decade, it has become a pioneer of innovative technologies for sustainable, large-scale and mechanised farming of seaweeds and the conversion of this biomass to novel products.

“HPCL and Sea6 Energy Private Limited, recognising the similarity of their interests, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for R&D collaboration in areas of mutual interest on 9th December 2024, particularly on joint development and commercialization of technologies for valorizing seaweed biomass,” HPCL said in a statement.

This strategic collaboration also marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in cutting-edge technology, aligning with the Government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, National Biofuel Policy and the greater objective of energy security, the statement added.

–IANS

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He said that the operation marks the synergy between the forces and is a significant achievement.

The Indian Army and local law enforcement agencies remain steadfast in their commitment to thwart subversive activities in the state of Manipur, the spokesman said.

The security forces in a different operation recovered one SMG Carbine with one magazine, one country-made cannon (Pumpi), 10 7.62 x 39 mm rounds, six 5.56mm rounds and five 9 mm rounds from Phaileng in Kangpokpi district.

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Stop hounding Dalits, suspend police chief: Congress on Parbhani violence

Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS) As an uneasy calm returned to violence-hit Parbhani town, the Maharashtra Congress demanded that police atrocities on the Dalit population must end and the Superintendent of Police Ravindrasingh Pardeshi should be suspended immediately here on Thursday.

Condemning the desecration of a statue of B. R. Ambedkar near Parbhani railway station on Tuesday, state Congress President Nana Patole termed it as a grave insult to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution who is revered by millions.

“Such acts of disrespect to Ambedkar have no place in the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule and other icons. It’s a matter of shame for the entire state. We want the SP Ravindrasingh Pardeshi to be suspended and demand that the government should immediately identify the culprits responsible for it and ensure stringent punishment to them,” said Patole.

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) have also condemned the violence in Parbhani and urged for an end to the targeting of the local Dalit population.

VBA President Prakash Ambedkar spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nanded Range Special IGP Shahaji Umap seeking an end to the arrests of Dalits and combing operations in the Dalit areas of Parbhani.

He warned that if the ongoing police action against the community were not stopped by Friday noon, the VBA would launch an agitation while appealing to the Dalits to protest peacefully.

Terming the sacrilege of Ambedkar’s statue as an ‘a provocative act’, the JIH President Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi said that by doing this, “the perpetrators are attempting to convey that the Constitution holds no value for them plus they can do whatever they want without fear of the legal repercussions”.

Parbhani Collector Raghunath K. Gawade told media persons on Thursday that the police are acting with restraint and “nobody who was not involved in the clashes yesterday is being detained or arrested”.

Patole said that while Parbhani was burning, Chief Minister Fadnavis and the two Deputy CMs — Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were busy allocating key ministries or portfolios with no concern for the well-being of the people.

“The presence of people in power who have no respect for the Constitution is responsible for such incidents. The police have imposed a curfew, suspended Internet, and public transportation, used teargas, and baton-charged the Dalits. This proves that the district administration and police failed to handle the situation sensitively,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies — Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leaders, plus other parties plan to raise the matter in the upcoming Winter Session of Maharashtra Assembly, in Nagpur on December 16.

At least 40 persons have been arrested by the Parbhani police after the town was rocked by violence, stone-pelting, arson, damage to scores of private and public vehicles, besides other properties in the past couple of days.

–IANS

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