India’s First Bamboo Ethanol Plant Launched in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 14, 2025) inaugurated the country’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant in Golaghat, Assam. The facility, set up at Numaligarh Refinery, is described as the world’s first “green bamboo bioethanol plant” and aims to produce clean energy while boosting local livelihoods.
Alongside the inauguration, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a ₹7,230-crore polypropylene project at the refinery, marking a major push for Assam’s energy and industrial growth.
India’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on September 14, 2025, in Golaghat, Assam. The plant, built at Numaligarh Refinery, will produce ethanol from green bamboo and is billed as the world’s first facility of its kind.
Focus on Energy Self-Sufficiency
Addressing a public gathering, PM Modi highlighted that India spends crores on importing energy and stressed the need for energy independence under the Viksit Bharat vision.
“Assam is a land that supports India’s energy efficiency. The products from Assam are boosting India’s development pace. Now, we are taking this capacity to a new level,” he said.
He added that while hydrocarbon exploration continues, the government is laying equal stress on green energy, including solar and bamboo-based ethanol production, to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
Benefits for Farmers and Rural Economy
The Prime Minister underlined how the project will directly benefit local farmers and tribal communities. The government plans to procure bamboo from farmers, ensuring steady income and rural development.
He also recalled how earlier policies restricted bamboo cultivation by classifying it as a tree. “Our government removed the ban on bamboo cutting. Today, that decision is empowering farmers and helping Assam’s economy,” Modi said.
What the Plant Will Produce
According to Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), the new facility will annually process five lakh tonnes of green bamboo sourced from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and other northeastern States. The output will include:
- 48,900 metric tonnes of ethanol
- 11,000 tonnes of acetic acid
- 19,000 tonnes of furfural
- 31,000 metric tonnes of food-grade liquid carbon dioxide
The joint venture between NRL, Finland’s Fortum, and Chempolis OY is expected to contribute ₹200 crore annually to Assam’s rural economy.
Local & National Significance
For Assam, the bamboo ethanol plant is not only an industrial milestone but also a rural empowerment initiative. For India, it represents a major step toward energy diversification and cleaner fuel adoption.
With the upcoming polypropylene plant and the bamboo bioethanol facility, Numaligarh is emerging as a new hub of green and petrochemical energy in the Northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
The plant is located at Numaligarh Refinery in Golaghat district, Assam.
It is the world’s first facility to produce ethanol from green bamboo, designed as a zero-waste project that also generates acetic acid, furfural, and liquid CO₂.
