Scientists at the Hyderabad-based CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) have unveiled a promising advance: transforming sugarcane residue into high-quality biofuel using a greener, more efficient process that could aid India’s transition towards cleaner energy and better utilisation of agricultural waste.

The team, led by Alka Kumari along with researchers Sri Chandana and T. Satish and working under the guidance of CSIR-IICT director D. Srinivas Reddy, demonstrated an improved Catalytic Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) process to convert sugarcane bagasse — the residue left after crushing sugarcane — into biofuel.