Environment and ecology Prosopis Juliflora to Green Methanol: Turning an Invasive Threat into Clean Fuel Background Prosopis juliflora is listed among the world’s top 100 invasive species. Known locally as Gando Baval (Kutch), Vilayati Keekar (North India), Seemai Karuvelam (Tamil Nadu). Introduced by the British in the 1920s and later in 1961 in Gujarat to combat desertification. Has severely degraded biodiversity in Banni grasslands by displacing native grasses. Project Overview India’s first green methanol plant to use Prosopis juliflora as feedstock. Located at Deendayal Port Authority. Capacity: 5 tonnes of methanol per day. Built by Thermax Energy with technology from Ankur Scientific. About Green Methanol Alternative marine fuel replacing bunker oil. Produced from biomass (agricultural residues) instead of fossil fuels. Uses Prosopis juliflora and can also process bagasse, cotton stalk, etc. Technology Process Gasification Stage (Ankur Scientific) Biomass → Syngas (H₂, CO, CO₂) Process occurs between combustion and pyrolysis. Methanol Synthesis (Thermax Energy) Syngas → Methanol fuel Environmental Benefits Up to 95% reduction in CO₂ emissions. Up to 80% reduction in NOx emissions. Eliminates sulphur oxides and particulate matter. Supports cleaner shipping in line with International Maritime Organization norms. Significance Converts an ecological problem into an energy resource. Helps in restoring grassland ecosystems by removing invasive species. Supports India’s “green port” initiative along the western coast. Potential to reduce oil imports using agricultural waste.
