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Honeywell’s technology may bring biomass to the centre stage
BusinessLine· 2025-12-15 01:22
Core Insights - Honeywell is developing a process to upgrade biocrude into drop-in fuels that can replace conventional fuels without engine modifications [7][11] - The process addresses the challenges posed by oxygen in biomass, which leads to instability and low energy density [9][10] Biomass Challenges - Biomass has struggled in the renewable energy sector due to supply inconsistency and price volatility [2] - The presence of chemically bound oxygen in biomass complicates its use as an energy source, leading to issues like polymerisation and corrosiveness [3][4][5] Honeywell's Technology - Honeywell UOP's process involves hydrodeoxygenation, where hydrogen is introduced to neutralize the negative effects of oxygen [9] - The company claims that the biocrude-to-fuel process remains cost-competitive, even when using grey hydrogen, due to reduced lifecycle emissions compared to fossil fuels [10][11] Market Implications - If successful at scale, Honeywell's technology could significantly enhance the utilization of India's biomass resources in clean energy [11]