In line with the bilateral cooperation between Brazil and India for the promotion of ethanol and its blends in the automotive sector, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) will launch a virtual Centre of Excellence (CoE), at Auto Expo 2023.
The CoE will be a knowledge portal, a hub that will bring together important and up-to-date information on technological advances, technical standards, regulations, public policies, and sustainability-related biomass and bioenergy, said Eduardo Leão de Sousa, Executive Director, UNICA.
“We are excited to witness the progress India has made in adopting ethanol over the last few years. We are committed to partnering with SIAM in sharing the Brazil experience and knowledge of ethanol-related technologies,” he said.
Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM said the CoE will lay the foundation for the two organisations to support and complement the government's efforts in promoting bioenergy, biofuels, and other bio-based fuels for low-carbon mobility in India and Brazil.
Ethanol Experience Zone At Auto Expo
At Auto Expo 2023, Brazil is setting up a dedicated 250 sq m ethanol experience zone, organised by UNICA, Brazilian Ethanol Cluster, ApexBrazil, and the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The zone is part of a 3,000 sq m pavilion exclusively dedicated to ethanol, promoted by SIAM.
The zone will have three sections. An ethanol experience zone will demonstrate the benefits of ethanol, and its technologies including flex fuel vehicles. The second section – ‘Bring back my blue sky’ – will give visitors a virtual experience of how ethanol-based fuels can reduce emissions. The final section will be centred on the CoE, said a release.
Brazil is the second largest producer of ethanol in the world after the United States, and is home to the world’s largest fleet of cars that use ethanol as fuel. India also has a strong focus on biofuels and has brought forward by five years, to 2025, the goal of achieving a 20% ethanol blend in gasoline. India is the second largest sugar producer in the world, after Brazil, and has the potential to convert surplus sugar stocks into ethanol, said the release.
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