Biofuel sector in for noticeable growth in State: Board chairman

A two-day international conference on Sustainable Technologies- ICST 2025, began at the National Institute of Engineering (NIE) here on Wednesday.

A two-day international conference on Sustainable Technologies- ICST 2025, began at the National Institute of Engineering (NIE) here on Wednesday.

NIE, Mysuru, has organised the conference in collaboration with Fachhochschule Dortmund– University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Dortmund, Germany, and the Institution of Engineers, India (IEI).

Sudheendra S.E., chairman, Karnataka State Bioenergy Development Board, Stephan Weyers, vice-rector, FHD Germany, Ashutosh A. Murkute, director MGIRI, Wardha, Christoph Harrach, THE-OWL Lemgo Germany, Deepu R., chairman IE India Mysuru, were the chief guests. Nalini Shekar, executive director, Hasirudala, Bengaluru, Ranganath, president, NIE-MC, Rohini Nadapadma, principal, NIE, Mysuru, Shamsundar, and Prakash, conveners, ICST 2025, and Imran Jamadhar, co-chair, ICST-2025, were present.

In his address, Mr. Sudheendra said Karnataka is the first State in the country that formulated and implemented the Karnataka Biofuel Policy-2009. He said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had given priority for the development of sustainability in all the sectors of manufacturing, social and economical services. “The sustainable development will create social harmony and peace in the society. Bioenergy sector in the State will undergo a major change in a few months. The board has taken several initiatives and is striving towards creating a conducive atmosphere for the growth of the biofuel sector,” he told the audience.

The chairman also interacted with the students and appreciated those who exhibited 17 sustainability factors. Mr. Sudheendra inaugurated the biofuel stall where all the bioenergy programmes and products are on display.

Among the highlights of the conference were the display of various research works done in the area of sustainable technologies. A total of 100 papers of the authors from India and abroad are being presented. The conference is providing a dynamic platform for showcasing cutting-edge advancements and global trends in sustainable technologies.

Mr. Shamsundar, in his welcome address, gave an overview of the conference and added that sustainable energy systems, e-mobility, robotics for sustainability, sustainable materials, design for sustainability, green computing for sustainability, environmental conservation, and green building technologies are the focus areas.