FOCUS : TECHNOLOGIES FOR INFORMAL PROCESS INDUSTRIES 

Project: Diffusion of Biomass utilization technologies in non-formal industries in Karnataka and Kerala 

Funded By: India Canada Environment Facility (ICEF), New Delhi

Duration:  Feb 1999 to March 2004

Woody biomass fuels, are extensively used as the primary fuel in non-formal industries contributing to the stress on fuel wood and deforestation. They also add to the global problem of green house gas emissions. One way to mitigate the problem is to reduce the fuel consumption by improving the efficiency of devices that are used in non formal industries. Energy efficient devices, reduce firewood consumption by up to 50% depending on the industry. 

The main objective of the project was to promote improved biomass fuel combustion devices on a commercial basis by developing entrepreneurs. The project area specified under the project was the states of Karnataka and Kerala and later during the project extension period (February 2003 to March 2004), the project area was widened to other states such as TamilNadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttaranchal.  

This project improved end use efficiency of biomass for energy purposes in select non-domestic, non-formal industries in States of Karnataka and Kerala. The purpose of this project was to ensure that by the end of the project period, non-formal industries in Karnataka and Kerala, install and operate, on a sustained basis efficient biofuel utilization devices after procuring them through a normal market mechanism. This project also addressed the problems of: scarcity of biofuel for the consumers of bio-mass, the regional problem of increasing deforestation and the global problem of green house gas emissions.

The objectives of the project were:

• A comprehensive database on non- domestic uses of biofuel and non-formal industries consuming fuel wood for energy purposes.
• Demonstration of Energy Efficient Devices at 270 locations covering each of the industry types.
• Creation of a diffusion infrastructure of entrepreneurs, with a set of devices being sold through the market mechanism.

The project encountered a few obstacles initially which retarded diffusion efforts. The major reasons for limited penetration were

• Lack of awareness and hence, lack of demand for these devices/technologies from target industries.
• Lack of confidence amongst target industries in energy saving potential of efficient devices/ technologies.
• Lack of a market mechanism and, infrastructure to deliver the devices/technologies to target industries.

Approaches Adopted

This project adopted a three-pronged approach

• Creating awareness and demonstrating the fuel saving potential of technologies by undertaking demonstration projects thereby boosting the demand.
• Ensuring that adequate suppliers of efficient technologies are present by creating a pool of trained masons and transferring efficient technologies to mason entrepreneurs.
• Facilitating the exchange of energy efficient devices / technologies between the users and suppliers by setting up necessary market mechanisms and infrastructure.

At the end of the project period reduction of fuel wood consumption in target industries was about 9,100 metric tonnes The devices installed during the project and after the project continue to save firewood.

Non-Formal industries targeted in project

In Karnataka 

• Arecanut processing
• Jaggery making
• Tobacco curing 
• Silk reeling 
• Cooking/heating stoves for hotels and community halls
• Lime/pottery kilns
• Brick kilns
• Drying systems

Project interventions in Karnataka

Non- Formal Industries in Kerala

• Arecanut processing
• Processing of various food products including cardamom, cashew, coconut , rice, cocoa and jaggery
• Rubber sheet smoking
• Rubber band vulcanization
• Ayurvedic medicine preparation
• Cooking in hotels / bakeries

Project interventions in  Kerala

Non- Formal Industries in TamilNadu

• Textile/Silk dying units

Non- Formal Industries in Andhra Pradesh

• Silk reeling 
• Pochampalli dyeing and bleaching units

Non- Formal Industries in Chattisgarh

• Silk dyeing units