The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based Kaashyap Cleantech Innovations Pvt Ltd to commercialise a technology that converts greenhouse gases into bio-methanol, a clean liquid fuel with industrial applications.
The partnership aims to take a research-driven innovation from the laboratory to large-scale commercial production. Developed by researchers at IIT-Guwahati, the technology uses chemoautotrophic bacteria to convert methane and carbon dioxide — two major greenhouse gases — into bio-methanol through a biological process.
According to the institute, the technology offers an alternative to conventional methanol production methods, which generally require high energy consumption, costly infrastructure and chemical catalysts. Traditional processes can also generate toxic by-products, whereas the IIT-Guwahati method operates under mild conditions and does not rely on chemical catalysts.
The technology was developed by a team from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering led by Professor Debasish Das, with significant contributions from PhD scholar Krishna Kalyani Sahoo. The researchers designed a two-stage biological system that enables efficient conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into bio-methanol while reducing environmental impact.
IIT-Guwahati said the bio-methanol produced through the process was tested as a diesel-blended fuel in a four-stroke diesel engine. The tests showed encouraging results, with emissions such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide and smoke reduced by as much as 87 per cent compared to conventional diesel fuel.
The institute believes the technology can contribute to cleaner energy production while addressing the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions. By converting carbon dioxide and methane into a useful fuel, the process supports efforts aimed at carbon mitigation and sustainable industrial development.
Speaking on the collaboration, IIT-Guwahati Director Prof. Devendra Jalihal said the technology represents an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to clean fuel generation. He noted that the partnership would help accelerate the transition of the innovation from research to commercial deployment and create opportunities for wider industrial adoption.
Kaashyap Group Managing Director Kiran KK said the technology has the unique advantage of producing green fuel while simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide. He added that this dual benefit could make it valuable for carbon credit mechanisms and support industries working towards net-zero emission targets.
The collaboration marks another step in strengthening industry-academia partnerships focused on sustainable technologies and clean energy solutions. With commercial production now being pursued, the partners hope the technology will contribute to reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels while creating new opportunities in the green energy sector.