HPCL Partners with Sea6 Energy to Transform Seaweed Biomass into Fuels
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New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) The government-owned oil giant HPCL has collaborated with Sea6 Energy Private Limited by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on research and development for the joint advancement and commercialization of methods to utilize seaweed biomass, as stated in an announcement made on Wednesday.
As part of this MoU, HPCL will work alongside Sea6 Energy to innovate and enhance technologies for converting seaweed biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals. While these technologies are being designed and tested, Sea6 Energy will concurrently address the upstream aspects of optimizing seaweed cultivation and harvesting to make it more economical.
Seaweeds present a viable alternative to conventional biomass for biofuel production since they do not compete with food sources, eliminate the need for fertilizers or irrigation, and can be cultivated in locations unsuitable for traditional agriculture, such as coastal regions. Furthermore, seaweeds exhibit rapid growth rates, with certain species capable of doubling their biomass in just a few days, making them a superb option for carbon capture to help achieve India’s net-zero goals by 2070.
HPCL has established its advanced HP Green R&D Centre in Bengaluru, where it conducts research in various fields, including petroleum refining, the development of innovative catalysts and additives, biofuels, alternative energy, and nanotechnology, and has created patented technologies and products for diverse applications.
Sea6 Energy Private Limited, based in Bengaluru and founded in 2010, focuses on crafting innovative solutions to address significant global challenges. Over the past ten years, it has emerged as a leader in developing innovative technologies for sustainable, large-scale, and mechanized seaweed farming, as well as converting this biomass into new products.
"HPCL and Sea6 Energy Private Limited, recognizing the alignment of their goals, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative R&D in shared areas of interest on December 9, 2024, specifically targeting the joint development and commercialization of technologies for valorizing seaweed biomass," stated HPCL.
This strategic partnership also signifies a pivotal step in India’s quest for self-sufficiency in advanced technologies, in line with the Government of India's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the National Biofuel Policy, and the broader objective of ensuring energy security, the statement elaborated.
