From Peels to Fuel: Potatoes may soon quench thirst of your car

The Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) has proposed to set up a pilot plant to test its technology to convert potato waste and peels into ethanol, people in the know said. The Shimla-based institute recently completed lab studies on how potato waste can be repurposed for producing the bio fuel.

India is the world’s second-largest producer of potatoes after China. Since the quantity of discarded potatoes in the country is high -10-15% of the total production – it is being seen as potential feedstock for ethanol after sugarcane and maize. The National Policy on Biofuels mentions rotten potatoes in the list of feedstocks for ethanol.

“Potatoes are also considered a viable alternative due to the significant amount of waste that can be repurposed. Additionally, India has the largest cold storage facilities for potatoes, and the significant amount of potato waste available further supports their use in ethanol production,” said Dharmedra Kumar, scientist, CPRI.

On average, India produces 56 million tonne of potatoes every year. Of this, 8-10% – which is around five million tonne – is processed into chips, fries and dehydrated products. Post-harvest losses in potato production are estimated to be 20-25%, or 11-14 million metric tonne, due to poor storage facilities, transportation inefficiencies, and improper handling.

“The proposed pilot plant for ethanol production using potatoes in India is expected to be set up in regions with high potato production, such as Uttar Pradesh or West Bengal, and the processing areas such as Gujarat,” said Kumar. “The plant aims to use potato waste and substandard potatoes to produce ethanol.”

Scientists have targeted the significant amount of starch and cellulose available at the processing plants in the form of potato peel and the starch that is available in the water in which potatoes are washed after peeling.