Page 143 - CW E-Magazine (24-10-2023)

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REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE of 50 percent in the equity share capital owned subsidiary, NGEL, has set an 35-GW by 2030, and 200-GW by 2050.
of the JVC.” ambitious target of building a renewable Alongside, it plans to raise capacity to
Bayer plans to bring 1 million hectares under its generation portfolio of 60-GW over the produce biofuels from agri and municipal
On June 2, IOC incorporated the joint next decade to aggressively pursue its waste to 7 million tonnes and biogas to
direct-seeded rice in India by 2030 venture company (JVC) with NTPC green energy business. In March, IOC 9 million tonnes by 2050. Its renewable

German crop protection major, Bayer, on investment compared to rice grown can be sown directly in the soil and bred Green Energy Ltd, (a wholly-owned had announced consolidation of its green energy portfolio currently stands at 239-
plans to bring one million hectares in using the conventional transplanted specifi cally for the different farm envi- subsidiary of NTPC Ltd). The aim is to assets under one umbrella for better syn- MW, which is being expanded through
India under its direct-seeded rice (DSR) method. Bayer plans therefore to intro- ronments. By removing the standing generate a minimum capacity of 650- ergy. It is aiming to build a portfolio of new wind, solar, hydel and pumped hydro
by 2030, supporting over two million duce ‘DirectAcres’ in other rice-grow- water, machinery can perform much MW of round-the-clock renewable power 3-GW renewable energy and 0.6 million projects. It is collaborating with NTPC to
early adopter smallholder rice farmers ing countries in Asia Pacifi c, starting of the otherwise time-consuming and to fulfi l the energy requirements of IOC tonnes of biofuels by 2025. The renewa- augment its renewable energy capacity
through its ‘DirectAcres’ programme. with the Philippines in 2024. arduous, manual farming practices. The refi neries. NTPC, through its wholly- ble energy portfolio is to be expanded to by around 2.8-GW.
Bayer announced the introduction of reduced dependence on excess water –
its DSR system at the 6th International “We are building entire systems used partly to prevent weeds – means Avaada Group, REC ink MoU for green hydrogen
Rice Congress in Manila on the UN based on regenerative agriculture prac- access to crop protection solutions will
World Food Day on October 16. tices that create value for farmers and be key to the transformation. To address hub in Odisha
nature alike and that help address the this, Bayer is developing new crop pro-
Moving from transplanted puddled issue of global food security,” said tection solutions including a new rice Mumbi-based green energy fi rm, facility in in Odisha, which is poised to enable us to continue fi nancing renewa-
rice cultivation to DSR can help farmers Mr. Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & herbicide to ensure a successful and Avaada Group, has inked a memo- make a substantial contribution to the ble energy projects in Odisha, which will
randum of understanding (MoU) with green energy landscape in the State.
not only contribute to the State’s sustain-
to reduce water use by up to 40 percent, Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science durable weed management programme state-run non-banking fi nancial company able development but also reinforce our
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by division. “Direct-seeded rice is an ex- for the direct-seeded rice system. (NBFC), REC, for setting up a green Avaada Group Chairman Mr. Vineet renewable energy footprint in India and
up to 45 percent and reduce farmers’ cellent example of a system that holds hydrogen and green ammonia hub in Mittal said, “We thank the government around the globe.” Apart from Avaada,
dependence on scarce and costly huge potential to create a positive DSR has the potential to reduce Gopalpur, Odisha. of Odisha for facilitating the comfort of the Maharatna company also inked a
manual labour by up to 50 percent, the impact going forward.” water use and the GHG emissions cre- renewable energy and green molecule partnership with the Acme Group to
company said in a statement. The intro- ated by methane-emitting bacteria that The power sector NBFC has business transactions and robust initia- provide funding of Rs. 16,000-crore for
duction of the DSR system is fully in Changing traditional concepts thrive in standing water. The reduction pledged Rs. 15,000-crore for an up- tives, making it an ideal destination for a green hydrogen and ammonia facility
line with Bayer’s recently announced Traditionally, rice farmers fi rst grow of on-farm manual labour – through coming green hydrogen and ammonia sustainable growth. This partnership will in Gopalpur.
approach to regenerative agriculture seedlings in nurseries before trans- mechanisation – addresses the issue of
which will enable farmers to produce planting them in ploughed, levelled continuous labour shortage in the Indian BATTERY MATERIALS
more while restoring more. and fl ooded paddy fi elds. Over the countryside due to rapid urbanisation.
subsequent months, the water level “The need to come together to shape Birla Carbon acquires Belgian nanotubes maker,
Driven by these advantages, DSR must remain constant to ensure that more economically viable and sustain-
has the potential to be transformational the plants establish and grow. Shortly able rice cultivation systems has never Nanocyl
with 75 percent of total rice fi elds in before the harvest, the farmer drains the been so pressing. Our direct-seeded
India expected to switch to this culti- fi eld. Some 80 percent of the world’s rice system will help smallholder rice Aditya Birla Group company, Birla Chemicals & Director, Group H.R., Aditya the Birla Carbon family. Laurent and his
vation method by 2040, in comparison rice crop is today produced using farmers adapt to, and mitigate climate Carbon, has announced the completion of Birla Group. experienced team have been pioneers in
to roughly 11 percent today. Bayer said this method. change while running profi table busi- the acquisition of Nanocyl SA, a Belgian the fi eld of carbon nanotubes that provide
its ‘DirectAcres’ has seen considerable nesses, improving their own and com- maker of multi-wall carbon nanotubes Mr. Laurent Kosbach, Chief Execu- unique performance characteristics for a
success with 99 percent of Indian farmers Now, using advanced R&D capabi- munity’s social well-being,” explained (MWCNTs). tive Offi cer, Nanocyl, said, “We are wide range of applications, most nota-
achieving successful plant establish- lities, Bayer is designing climate-resi- Mr. Mike Graham, Head of Breeding proud of our journey to develop and bly energy systems such as lithium-ion
ment and 75 percent a higher return lient rice hybrids with higher yields that at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. Birla Carbon said the deal will expand commercialise MWCNTs successfully batteries. Birla Carbon’s commitment to
its presence in the energy systems market, over the past 20 years as an entrepre- driving growth through innovation in sus-
RENEWABLE ENERGY creating a leadership position in material neurial start-up, with the support of our tainability aligns well with the potential
IOC to invest Rs. 1,660-cr in joint venture with NPTC critical to lithium ion battery performance current partners and investors. However, for MWCNTs to enable the electrifi ca-
along with other conductive applications. with growing needs for our products, the tion of the transportation industry, deliver
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), will a 50:50 joint venture company, Indian- said its Board in a meeting on Octo- “Birla Carbon has been nurturing a num- time has come to join a global industry enormous environmental benefi ts, and
invest Rs. 1,660.15-crore as equity in a Oil NTPC Green Energy Pvt. Ltd., to ber 13, “has accorded approval to the ber of innovation opportunities in its effort leader in order to maximise the synergies prevent climate change”. Along with the
newly set up joint venture with energy set up renewable energy projects to investment plan of the joint venture to realise its multi-prong sustainability and the potential of these materials across Conductex family of conductive carbon
major NTPC Ltd for setting up renewa- meet round-the-clock power require- company for setting up of renewable agenda. The acquisition of Nanocyl is a many end-uses.” Sharing his thoughts on black additives and active anode materi-
ble power plants. ments of refi neries of the oil company. energy power plants and approved clear step towards executing its strategy the acquisition, Mr. John Loudermilk, als, the inclusion of Nanocyl’s MWCNTs
the equity contribution of up to in that direction,” said Dr. Santrupt Misra, President and CEO, Birla Carbon, said, provides Birla Carbon with a range of
In June, IOC and NTPC had formed In a stock exchanging fi ling, IOC Rs. 1,660.15-crore towards IOC’s share Group Director, Birla Carbon; Director, “We are thrilled to welcome Nanocyl into solutions for conductive applications.

142 Chemical Weekly October 24, 2023 Chemical Weekly October 24, 2023 143

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