Karnataka’s first bio-diesel unit opens

The state is all set to have its first bio-diesel manufacturing unit in Peenya Industrial Area. The processing unit of the bio-diesel manufacturing plant will start functioning from February 20.

Eco Green Fuel Private Limited has set up the plant with complete Indian technology. Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa will inaugurate the plant. BJP national president Nithin Gadkari, Karnataka state bio-fuel development board member Balakrishne Gowda and other dignitaries will take part in the programme.

Eco Green Fuel’s founder-director Julesh Bantiya, directors Saritha Bantiya and Pratik Nagothra and others will also be present.

Eco Green Fuel’s founders conceived the concept of setting up Eco Green Fuel’s on December 12, 2008. The duo had been in the industrial sector for the past two decades and had been on the verge of ‘doing something’ towards the cause of global warming. They selected bio-fuel as their contribution to fight global warming. Initially, they cultivated Pongamia pinnata seeds on 50 acres to meet the demand of raw material for their proposed unit. They cultivated as many as 8,000 Pongamia pinnata plants besides cultivating 4,000 Jatropha curcas seeds. The oil from these seeds can be converted into bio-diesel.

Bio-diesel is a suitable replacement for petroleum or mineral diesel.

It burns in normal diesel engines just like normal petro-diesel, increases lubrication and the overall efficiency of diesel engine.

The great advantage is that bio-diesel can be used without any modification in engines.