India, Brazil in technology sharing pact for ethanol
India signed an agreement with Brazil for sharing the know-how to blend ethanol with petrol or diesel.
The Memorandum of understanding was signed between Petroleum Minister Ram Naik and the visiting Brazilian Minister for Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Sergio Silva Do Amaral.
The MoU provides for sharing of technology and consultancy on optimal blending ratios for best performance, engine and fuel system modifications, comparability of fuel system components, and development of stabilizers for use in ethanol diesel blend.
The infrastructure and laboratory tests required will also be covered by the agreement.
Naik said unlike Brazil, where 70-80 per cent vehicles run on petrol, two-thirds of Indian vehicles run on diesel. While blending of five per cent ethanol with petrol has started, we now want to test blending ethanol with diesel".
India has started five per cent blending of ethanol in petrol in phases, beginning with eight sugarcane-growing states in the first phase. The minister said that in the second phase, blended petrol would be made available throughout the country. In the third phase, ethanol content in petrol would be increased to 10 per cent, he added.
Amaral said that Brazil was looking for increased trade with India particularly in informatics and pharmaceutical sectors.
Blending of ethanol with petrol and diesel had larger economic and environmental implications and would reduce import dependence, he added.
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