Researchers Led By Odisha Scientist Convert Coffee Waste Into Biofuel

Bhubaneswar: A team of researchers led by Odisha scientist Dr Sanjib Kumar Karmee and South African Prof Sanette Marx have developed a new technical method for turning coffee waste into clean liquid biofuel.

Dr Karmee said daily more than 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide. Most of the residues of coffee grounds used to make drinks are thrown away. Around 6-9 million tonnes of spent coffee grounds are dumped in landfills every year.

This is detrimental from the environment and sustainable living point of view since decomposition of coffee grounds releases methane into the atmosphere, which is a potent greenhouse gas and has a global warming potential up to 86 times greater than carbon dioxide.

However, using the newly developed technical methods of the research team, coffee wastes can be converted into biodiesel and renewable diesel. This technology is of significant importance for farmers and entrepreneurs since it is about conversion of waste to wealth, Dr Karmee said.

He further said it is the result of experimental work he along with other researchers carried out at the North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The research findings are published in the prestigious journal Biofuels (Taylor & Francis Group). Other researchers of the team include Dr Roelf Venter, Tony de Milem, Jaco Louw and Chantelle Truter.

It is worth noting that Koraput, Rayagada, Phulbani and Keonjhar are among the major coffee producing districts of Odisha.