LanzaTech Turns CO2 into Ethanol with NTPC in India

Highlights

• LanzaTech will supply technology to NTPC Limited in India to turn CO2 emissions and green hydrogen into ethanol.

• The tech captures carbon emissions and turns them into sustainable fuels and materials.

• The facility, built with NTPC and Jakson Green, will cut 7,300 tonnes of CO2 each year.

• This project helps India move towards cleaner energy and supports local production of green fuels and chemicals.

LanzaTech Global, Inc., a leader in carbon recycling, has secured a contract with Jakson Green, a new energy transition platform, to supply its advanced 4G ethanol technology to NTPC Limited, India’s largest power generation utility.

The project will implement LanzaTech’s technology at NTPC’s facility in Central India, using its second-generation bioreactor to convert CO2 emissions and green hydrogen into ethanol.

LanzaTech’s innovative approach captures carbon-rich gases from industrial sites before they are released into the atmosphere. Inside their bioreactor, this technology operates like a brewery, using proprietary microbes to transform these gases into sustainable fuels, chemicals, and raw materials. The second-generation bioreactor efficiently processes CO2 and hydrogen to produce ethanol, a crucial component for consumer goods and sustainable fuels such as aviation fuel and renewable diesel.

CO2, a prevalent waste byproduct in the circular carbon economy, requires hydrogen for effective usage in carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies. LanzaTech has demonstrated the effectiveness of its CO2-based technology in collaboration with IndianOil Corporation, and this new project with NTPC marks a significant expansion into the power generation sector, using CO2 as the primary carbon source. NTPC’s new facility is designed to highlight LanzaTech’s technology and could facilitate local production of sustainable fuels and materials from waste.

The plant's design and planning are a collaborative effort between LanzaTech and NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), with Jakson Green overseeing the development in Chhattisgarh, India. Jakson Green’s expertise contains the full project lifecycle, from design to construction. This facility is expected to achieve an annual CO2 reduction of 7,300 tonnes, comparable to the carbon sequestered by 8,523 acres of forest. Operations are anticipated to start within two years.

Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, says, “Our partnership with Jakson Green for this NTPC project expands our footprint in India while creating a roadmap for commercial deployment of CO2 as a key feedstock. Waste-based feedstocks can support Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India initiative by boosting the regional domestic manufacture of essential goods and materials. What’s better for the environment can also be better for business.”

Jakson Green’s Joint Managing Director, Mr. Kannan Krishnan, says, “This collaboration on NTPC’s pioneering project signifies a watershed moment in India’s clean energy journey. Leveraging our proven expertise in Power-to-X projects, we’re bringing these cutting-edge technologies to the forefront. This innovative pairing creates a transformative pathway to sustainable 4G ethanol production. Our leadership in this space positions us to significantly support LanzaTech’s mission, to revolutionize clean energy solutions in India, paving the way for a future fueled by sustainable resources.”

Jakson Green’s portfolio includes projects like India’s largest green hydrogen fuelling station and a low-carbon methanol plant for leading public sector enterprises. This new initiative is their sixth major Power-to-X project in 18 months, solidifying their leadership in India’s clean energy transition. With over 8,500 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen projects underway, Jakson Green is well-positioned to advance India’s sustainable future.

In addition to the NTPC project, LanzaTech’s technology is already in use at Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat refinery, one of six global commercial-scale installations. Last year, LanzaTech also announced a partnership with GAIL to support its Net Zero 2040 goals and is exploring other projects with Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited and various feedstocks in earlier stages of development.

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Source: LanzaTech