Daimler to set up co-op to source biodiesel

DaimlerChrysler India, the makers of Mercedes-Benz, is planning to set up a co-operative in Gujarat for the purpose of sourcing Jatropha-based bio-diesel from farmers in and around the town of Bhavnagar. The co-operative will be set up in a month.

"DaimlerChrysler India is in the process of identifying the villages and farmers, who would grow Jatropha in their farms, extract oil and supply to the co-operative. The oil will then be passed on to our partner (in the project) the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for refining," said a senior DaimlerChrysler official.

DaimlerChrysler India has tied up with Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute and the University of Hohenheim for the programme. Bhavnagar-based CSMCRI is a division of the CSIR.

The transfer of knowledge for right methods for selection of seeds, growing of the crop and extraction of oil will be passed on by DaimlerChrysler to the farmers.

"Our aim is to develop 100 per cent pure bio-diesel without any blend of regular diesel. The quality of bio-diesel should match European specifications. At the moment, it is difficult to comment on the targeted area for cultivation or the quantity of oil produced," the official said.

The pilot project will help DaimlerChrysler to produce bio-diesel to match with Indian environment and infrastructure needs.

The co-operative will run initially as part of a pilot project, which, if successful, would be converted into a full-fledged co-operative programme for the production of bio-diesel, they said.

"Once the pilot project proves successful and fit for commercial production, it will be the responsibility of CSIR to pass on the technology for commercialisation to oil refining companies or other private parties," said the official.

India is the only country selected by DaimlerChrysler for its bio-diesel research. Exactly a year before, DaimlerChrysler India had tested two 2 C-Class Mercedes-Benz cars and a Mercedes-Benz Viano (van) across the most severe and demanding terrains of the Himalayan ranges.

Through the test, the company gained valuable feedback about the properties and behaviour of (neat) bio-diesel under extremes of cold, altitude (low pressure) and demanding road conditions.

The test also had helped the company to evaluate alternatives and best practices for production and distribution of Biodiesel including financial viability of the supply-chain.