Zomato , BioD Energy tie up for cooking oil-to-biodiesel project

What is BioDiesel ?

1. It is a renewable fuel.
2. Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl (methyl, ethyl, or propyl) esters.
3. It can be blended with diesel in any proportion.

What is biofuel ?

1. A biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary processes from biomass.
2. It can be in solid, liquid and gaseous form.

National Biofuel policy, 2018:

Salient Features:

1. The Policy categorises biofuels as "Basic Biofuels" viz. First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels" - Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.

2. The Policy expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of Sugarcane Juice, Sugar containing materials like Sugar Beet, Sweet Sorghum, Starch containing materials like Corn, Cassava, Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, Rotten Potatoes, unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.

3. Farmers are at a risk of not getting appropriate price for their produce during the surplus production phase. Taking this into account, the Policy allows use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.

4. With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for 2G ethanol Bio refineries of Rs.5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.

5. The Policy encourages setting up of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from non-edible oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil, short gestation crops.

6. Roles and responsibilities of all the concerned Ministries/Departments with respect to biofuels has been captured in the Policy document to synergise efforts.


Initiative of Zomato(restaurant Agrregator) and BioD(Biodiesel manuacturer):

1. To Collect 1000 tons of used cooking oil from restaurants.

2. Convert cooking oil to biodiesel

3. Sell to the OMCs for blending with the regular diesel.

Advantages of using cooking oil :

1. Used cooking oil is highly carcinogenic. This initiative will reduce the reuse of used oil again in small hotels.

2. Decrease in air pollution via a vis decreased in CVDs, COPD and other respiratory illness.

3. Decrease in GHGs and Golabal warming and achieve India target towards its INDGs of Paris summit

4. Decrease in oil import vis a vis decrease in CAD

5. Increase in infrastructure, employment generation and achievement of National Biofuel Policy.

6. Biodiesel may be used in any diesel automotive engine in its pure form or blended with petroleum-based diesel. No modifications are required, and the result is a less-expensive, renewable, clean-burning fuel.