NEW DELHI, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- India's private energy major Reliance Industries Ltd. says it will start selling biofuel through its retail network next year.
Reliance Life Sciences will develop the jatropha-based fuel. "Our biofuel is aimed at contributing to the country's energy security target and also giving purchasing power to farmers," said Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of RIL.
He said the company also has plans to begin the production of ethanol from bagasse. "The concept trials for bio-diesel and bio-ethanol would start soon and the company would begin selling the product by 2008," said K V Subramanium, chairman of RLS.
He said the company has purchased 200 acres of land to cultivate jatropha in southern Andhra Pradesh province. "The cultivation area could also be widened after the project is launched successfully," Subramanium said.
The Britain-based D1 Oil, Godrej Agrovet and Emami Group are the other private companies in this field. May smaller Indian firms have entered into deal with the U.K.-based company to produce jatropha, the Economic Times reported Thursday.
RLS is also planning to enter into the fields of bio-pharmaceuticals, clinical research services and pharmaceuticals and is providing clinical services to some global pharma companies.
Reliance is first among India's private-sector energy giants to enter into the fields of biofuel.
