Assam sugarcane processing plant pioneers zero-emission operations
Spray Engineering Devices Limited (SEDL) has successfully completed the final test of its revolutionary agro-industrial platform that redefines sugarcane utilisation.
Based on the world’s first boiler-less, zero-emission sugarcane processing technology, this innovation opens a pathway to a $500 billion green hydrocarbon economy, which would be rooted in rural, renewable resources.
The integrated system, deployed at the SEDL’s flagship plant in Bamungaon near Guwahati, Assam, runs entirely without traditional combustion systems. Built on patented Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) and Low-Temperature Evaporation (LTE) technologies, the facility processes over 1.8 lakh tonnes of sugarcane annually, saving around 60,000 tonnes of bagasse that would otherwise be burned.
“The SEDL-developed LTE system removes the need for boilers, making the plant 100% fuel-free and helps in achieving the goal of zero carbon emission,” said Vivek Verma, Managing Director, SEDL.
He further said, “All recovered water is recycled for irrigation on organic sugarcane farms, while solar power reduces the plant’s environmental footprint.”
The plant is also India’s only zero-emission jaggery production facility, operating at 500 tonnes crushing capacity per day (TCD). Fully automated and operational for the past four years, the unit represents a paradigm shift in how jaggery and sugar are produced—without combustion, flue gases or water discharge.
Beyond sugar and jaggery, the SEDL’s platform maximises the value of every part of the sugarcane plant—converting sugars into ethanol, cellulose-rich bagasse into 2G ethanol and other biomass residues into green hydrogen and biochemicals. Their goal is to set up a closed-loop ecosystem that replaces fossil fuels with cost-effective, domestically sourced alternatives.
The Guwahati unit aligns with India’s vision for energy security and climate action. It supports over 8,000 organic farmers, providing them with training, fair pricing and transparent procurement.
With India exporting over 516,746 metric tonnes of jaggery worth Rs 3,570 crore in 2023–24, such plants can strengthen the country’s leadership in clean, high-quality food manufacturing.
Founded in 2004, the SEDL is headquartered in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, with a global presence in over 40 countries. It continues to develop innovative energy-efficient solutions for sugar and allied industries, transforming how agricultural resources are processed.
“With this model, India can lead the global green hydrocarbon revolution. It’s a blueprint for sustainable rural industry that enhances farmer incomes, reduces emissions and supports a self-reliant green economy,” added Verma.
India