IndianOil has announced the use of 20% [1] ethanol blending and purified sewage treatment plant (STP) water at its Mathura refinery.
This initiative represents a shift toward sustainable fuel production in India. By integrating recycled water and biofuels, the company seeks to lower the environmental impact of heavy industrial refining while strengthening national energy security.
AS Sahney, Chairman of IndianOil, said the measures are designed to create cleaner and smarter fuel choices for the future. The transition to these resources is intended to reduce the amount of capital leaving the country to pay for imported energy sources.
"These steps save foreign currency and close resource loops," Sahney said.
The Mathura refinery, located in Uttar Pradesh, is now utilizing a blend of 20% [1] ethanol. This blending process reduces reliance on traditional fossil fuels and aligns with broader efforts to incorporate renewable energy into the national fuel supply.
In addition to the ethanol blending, the refinery is employing purified STP water. This approach to water management allows the facility to reuse waste streams, a critical step in reducing the industrial draw on local freshwater sources.
Sahney said the combination of these two strategies demonstrates a commitment to a circular economy. The refinery's move toward purified water and bio-blends serves as a model for other industrial sites seeking to balance production needs with environmental constraints.
“These steps save foreign currency and close resource loops.”
The integration of ethanol blending and recycled water at a major refinery indicates a strategic move by India to decouple its energy infrastructure from volatile global oil markets. By reducing foreign-currency outflows and implementing circular resource management, IndianOil is attempting to lower the operational costs and carbon footprint of fuel production.
