Bio diesel- fuel of the future

Mumbai, Sep 18 (UNI) Incorporated in the year 2001 Reliance Life Sciences (RLS) is a new millennium initiative of the Reliance group which represents one of the most diverse and integrated life sciences businesses being developed anywhere in the world.

RLS is developing business opportunities in the domains of medical biotechnology, plant biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, clinical research services and contract manufacturing. From the domain perspective these opportunities cover biopharmaceuticals, molecular diagnostics and genetics and cell based therapies and plant tissue culture.

In a day long workshop conducted here at the Dhirubhai Ambani Life Sciences Centre, Dr Vidhya Rangaswamy spoke about the future of Bio diesel. In her words,''There is a huge potential in Bio diesel arena for an Indian farmer. The important fact is that diesel forms nearly 40 per cent of the energy consumed in the form of hydrocarbon fuels. Its demand is estimated at 40 million tones.'' ''The demand can be met through Bio diesel as an alternative fuel. Bio diesel can be harvested and is an inevitable alternative to fossil fuel.'' The advantages of Bio diesel are that it is a substitute or an addictive to diesel fuel, it is environmentally safe, renewable and a natural fuel, it is derived from the oils and the fat of plants like Sunflower, Rapeseed or Jatropha, as an alternative fuel for diesels engines it serves as an equal energy source, and is a domestically produced liquid fuel that can help reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil imports.

She further said,'' Fossil fuels have become increasingly expensive and are the single biggest drain on the foreign exchange reserves of India, besides leaving behind greenhouse gas emissions.'' According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas petroleum consumption is projected to touch 175 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2006-07.

''Now is the time to invest in renewable energy sources and reap the benefits of the new driving force-Bio diesel,'' said Dr Rangaswamy.

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