Applications invited for Accredited Carbon Verification (ACV) Agencies

 

The Central Government has established the framework for Indian Carbon Market (ICM) through the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.The clause (9) of the scheme states that Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Bureau) in its capacity as administrator shall publish the procedure including eligibility criteria for accreditation of any agency to function as an ACV agency.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is inviting applications from agencies interested in becoming Accredited Carbon Verification (ACV) Agencies for the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme of the Indian Carbon Market. The scheme defines two mechanism – Compliance and Offset Mechanism, where under the compliance mechanism of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) the verification of GHG emissions and GHG emissions intensity of the obligated entity during the compliance years is to be undertaken by an ACV agency as per the detailed procedure for compliance mechani m. 2.3. Where, under the offset mechanism, the validation and/or verification of the project activity by the non-obligated entity for registration of the projects and subsequent issuance of the carbon credit certificates is to be undertaken by an ACV agency as per the detailed procedure for offset mechanism.

Eligibility-An ACV agency shall have minimum one full time team lead/lead verifier (meeting the criteria in section 4.4) on the company’s pay rolls for each mechanism.  An ACV agency shall have minimum two full time team members as verifiers for each mechanism, they have applied for. The lead verifier must have the following certifications: a. Accredited Energy Auditor by the Bureau and b. Lead Verifier certification for ISO 14064 1/2/3 Competency Requirements: The lead verifier shall meet the competence requirements for verifiers (as per section 5.6 of this document) and shall have demonstrated competence to lead a verification team and carry out verification activities.The team members of the ACV agency shall have the following competencies: a) Ability to apply generic verification concepts (evidence gathering, risk management, auditing techniques, application of the level of assurance). b) Knowledge and experience of energy and GHG accounting and management techniques, GHG emission sources and associated technologies, development and auditing of GHG emission factors and calculation methodologies including energy / non-energy (process) GHG emissions where applicable, statistical uncertainty analysis of GHG emission calculations and technical expertise related to monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions. c) Knowledge of relevant rules, regulations and procedures including the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. d) Other business skills such as communication, analytical, statistical, and financial aspects. e) Collection of information through effective interviewing, listening, observing, and reviewing documents, records, and data. f) Knowledge on data, information, and system auditing techniques and methodologies. g) Risk assessment techniques and methodologies. h) Data and information sampling techniques and methodologies.

Link-https://beeindia.gov.in/application-form-accredited-carbon-verification-acv-agencies.php

Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet production- India attempts to catch up.

 

Neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets have revolutionised the field of permanent magnets and become an indispensable component of modern technology. The strongest variety, “Sintered NdFeB magnets”, was developed by Japanese inventor and materials scientist Masato Sagawa. 

Before the 1980s, the preferred material for high-performance permanent magnets was an expensive combination of samarium and cobalt. Motivated by the lower cost of iron and its magnetic properties, Sagawa experimented with various elements to develop a new type of magnet. Using a sintering process that bonds the powdered components through a combination of heat and pressure, while keeping the fine microstructure, he eventually found the key by inserting boron into a neodymium and iron crystal lattice. This gave his magnets high coercivity, a resistance to demagnetisation, along with unparalleled strength. Nd-Fe-B magnets’ superior properties have led to their widespread adoption across industries, and they account for around 95% of all permanent magnets on the market today by value, with the sintered variety being the strongest among them. Sagawa developed an idea for Nd-Fe-B magnet in his spare time while working as a researcher at Fujitsu from 1972 to 1982. Recognising its potential, Sagawa resigned from his position, patented the magnet, and joined Sumitomo Metal Industries in 1982, where Nd-Fe-B magnet was commercialized. 

According to the different production processes, Neodymium Magnets can be divided into three types: sintered NdFeB magnets, bonded NdFeB magnets, and hot-pressed NdFeB magnets.Since the beginning of the 21st century, although the development of the sintered NdFeB industry in developed countries such as Japan, the United States, and Europe has slowed down, due to the extraordinary development of China's sintered NdFeB industry, the global rare earth permanent magnet industry has maintained a rapid growth trend. In 2017, China's output of sintered NdFeB finished products was 104,000 tons, an increase of 8.8% over the previous year; the global output was about 120,000 tons, and China accounted for 87% of the global share.

Mine to Magnet

AREPL aims to master the production process of "Mine to Magnet." The process can be understood in the following points:

Mining: This process is not done by AREPL, but raw materials are procured from IREL (Indian Rare Earths Limited). According to the Government of India, only selected companies have the license to mine these raw materials. IREL specialises in mining, separation and extraction of rare earths in the form of their oxides in a series of steps, ensuring a stable and high-quality supply of raw materials essential for start-up's production process.

Raw Material (Oxide or Fluoride Form) to NdPr Metal: The raw materials in the form of oxides are processed to extract NdPr (Neodymium-Praseodymium) metal through advanced techniques. This involves refining and purifying the raw materials to obtain high-purity NdPr metal, which is a crucial component for high-performance magnets. The process includes steps to ensure the removal of impurities and achieve the desired purity levels.

Metal to Alloy Powder (NdFeB Powders): The NdPr metal is then converted into NdFeB (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) alloy powder. This involves melting the NdPr metal along with iron and boron to form an alloy. The molten alloy is rapidly cooled to produce fine NdFeB powders. These powders are critical for producing magnets with high energy density and excellent magnetic properties. Advanced techniques like strip casting are used to produce uniform and high-quality alloy powders.

Alloy Powders to Magnet Blocks: The alloy powders are processed to form magnet blocks through a series of steps, including pressing and sintering. In the pressing stage, the alloy powders are compacted into the desired shape using presses. The compacted powders are then subjected to high-temperature sintering, which involves heating them in a controlled atmosphere to bond the particles together, resulting in dense and solid magnet blocks with superior magnetic properties.

Cutting Operations on Magnet Blocks for Manufacturing Sintered NdFeB Magnets:

The magnet blocks undergo precise cutting operations to manufacture sintered NdFeB magnets. This involves slicing, grinding and shaping the blocks into the required dimensions and geometries. Advanced machining techniques, such as wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) and precision grinding, are used to ensure the final magnets meet the stringent quality and performance standards required for high-tech applications.

Each stage involves various technologies and techniques to ensure efficiency and quality.

Though India produces Nd-Pr oxide required for the production of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets, and the production facility for making magnets and the end-use market of windmills, EVs, etc., the intermediate supply chain of production of metal and alloy is absent. A tripartite agreement has been signed between IREL, BARC, and AREPL on 14th July 2021 for the development and production of Nd-Pr using Indian Rare Earth resources under incubation mode. 

Also read. https://www.energetica-india.net/articles/the-rare-earth-magnet-puzzle-from-disorder-to-direction

Notified of new biostimulants February 16, 2026.

 

Download the notification

Technology Diffusion in Agriculture

 Extract from WIPO report:

Precision agriculture technologies

PATs use sensors, satellite navigation, and data analytics to optimize farming operations. In general, there are three broad categories for PATs: (i) the data collection (sensors, satellite navigation), (ii) the data processing and/or analysis (yield monitoring, soil mapping), and (iii) the decision-making guidance (auto-steering tractors, variable-rate applications of fertilizers and pesticides). (23)

Farmers in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States lead in the adoption of PATs. (24)

The US pioneered PATs in the 1980s, with adoption accelerating once global positioning systems (GPS) became widely available after 1983. (25) Most of the technologies used were related to grid sampling, fertilizer mapping, and pH as well as yield measurement. Since the 2000s, American farmers have been adopting auto-guidance system and variable rate technologies (VRTs) to reduce the cost of managing their farms. (26)

However, the adoption of PATs remains gradual. Studies show that farmers typically adopt individual PAT components rather than a complete system. (27) This is partly due to the high upfront cost of purchasing PATs.

Less than one-third of US farmers use any PAT tools whatsoever and adoption occurs in modules rather than complete systems. (28) In Europe, for example, entry level PATs include automatic milking systems, digital field records and automatic steerage systems. (29)

In addition, the PATs predominantly adopted vary according to agricultural need. Water scarcity led to the adoption of micro-irrigation in India, for example, whereas farmers in the US and Australia focus more on adopting guidance systems for large-scale cropping.

digital technology diffusion

Extract from WIPO report. 

Digital technologies such as submarine cables, broadband networks, data-driven platforms and AI have become the backbone of modern economies. Yet, not all economies realize the promise of digital transformation. This chapter traces why connectivity and digital capabilities advance rapidly in some regions while others remain constrained by infrastructure gaps, affordability barriers, skills shortages, and regulatory hurdles. It shows that unlocking inclusive digital diffusion requires more than new technologies—it demands coordinated investments, balanced IP governance, and policies that ensure all countries and communities can participate in the opportunities of the digital age.

Many digital technologies are considered GPTs, (General Purpose Technologies) the internet being a classic example. The patent landscape for digital technologies is highly concentrated. Most DT patent applications come from five major jurisdictions; namely, China, the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the European Patent Office. Together, they account for most global filings. This concentration creates uneven diffusion patterns, as technology often follows the investment and licensing channels controlled by leading patent holders. At the same time, the growing market concentration of major digital platforms raises new policy challenges. A small number of global technology firms increasingly control key digital infrastructures, data resources and IP portfolios, shaping the direction and speed of diffusion. Ensuring dynamic competition therefore requires regulatory frameworks that prevent excessive market dominance, encourage interoperability and promote open innovation. Balancing the legitimate protection of IP rights with measures that safeguard competition and facilitate entry for smaller and local innovators remains a central policy priority for inclusive digital transformation.

What is R&D in AI

 

Talk of AI pervades the air in Delhi and all over media. As GOI has huge plans to pump R&D in private sector, there is need to understand R&D in AI.

FY2026 NITRD Program Component Areas (PCAs)

The FY2026 PCAs described on this page are those used by NITRD agencies in compiling the PCA budget information for the NITRD and NAIIO Supplement to the President’s FY2026 Budget.

• ACNS – Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
• AI – Artificial Intelligence
• CHuman – Computing-Enabled Human Interaction, Communication, and Augmentation
• CNPS – Computing-Enabled Networked Physical Systems
• CSP – Cyber Security and Privacy
• EdW – Education and Workforce
• ENIT – Electronics for Networking and Information Technology
• EHCS – Enabling R&D for High-Capability Computing Systems
• HCIA – High-Capability Computing Infrastructure and Applications
• IRAS – Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• LSDMA – Large-Scale Data Management and Analysis
• SPSQ – Software Productivity, Sustainability, and Quality

AI R&D will intersect with multiple PCAs. For example:

• R&D on general methods for machine vision would fall under AI, while R&D on robots, even if the robots employ machine vision, would fall under IRAS. Note that R&D on intelligent autonomous systems that exist only in cyberspace, with no physical embodiment, would be reported under AI.
• R&D on algorithms for computational linguistics would fall under AI, while R&D on the broad problem of human-machine interaction, even if it contains an element of natural language processing, would fall under CHuman.
• R&D on the cybersecurity challenges unique to AI, such as the ability to exploit flaws in an AI system’s goals would fall under AI, whereas AI supporting cybersecurity research would fall under CSP.
• R&D on special neuromorphic computing architectures or chips optimized for neural nets would fall under AI, whereas general research in neuromorphic computing would fall under EHCS.
• R&D that is primarily machine learning would fall under AI, while R&D on the larger data management and analysis ecosystem, even if it contains an element of machine learning, would fall under LSDMA.

Source-https://www.nitrd.gov/program-component-areas/nitrd-pcas-2026/#AI

Circular biorefineries for rural India: turning rice straw and bagasse into biofuels

 

India’s abundant rice straw and sugarcane bagasse remain underused and are often burned, worsening air pollution. This review examines how circular biorefineries can convert these lignocellulosic residues into biofuels, advancing energy security, rural incomes, and environmental goals. We interrogate the value chain, from feedstock aggregation and densification to conversion and deployment, comparing physico-chemical pretreatments (e.g., steam explosion and alkaline) with emerging green options and clarifying trade-offs among delignification, fermentable-sugar yield, and inhibitor formation. We evaluate biochemical (enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation) and thermochemical (gasification and pyrolysis) routes to a diversified product slate. Evidence favors decentralized, village-scale mini-biorefineries led by Farmer–Producer Organizations, contingent on affordable enzymes, robust microbial catalysts, supportive policy, innovative finance, and disciplined supply-chain governance, a pragmatic roadmap for India’s circular bioeconomy.

Paper-Yadav, Anurag, and Kusum Yadav. “Circular Biorefineries for Rural India: Turning Rice Straw and Bagasse into Biofuels.” Academia Green Energy, vol. 2, no. 4, Academia.edu Journals, 2025, doi:10.20935/AcadEnergy7949.

Hydrogen Industry Outlook 2026

 

• KAKINADA PROJECT WILL BE INDIA’S FIRST COMMERCIAL-SCALE GREEN AMMONIA & GREEN HYDROGEN FACILITY. AM Green has already secured a strong export-oriented offtake pipeline. This includes a binding offtake agreement with Uniper, Germany for upto 500 KTPA starting Q2 2028. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RWE for approximately 300 KTPA is already in place. Further, 100 KTPA for BASF, 100 KTPA for Keppel, and a host of other players are in the offing.
• PANIPAT GREEN HYDROGEN UNIT ON TRACK FOR DECEMBER 2027 COMPLETION.
• VOC PORT TARGETS 2029 FOR FIRST PHASE OF GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION.
• ELCOGEN AND THE CASE FOR SOLID OXIDE TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA’S HYDROGEN FUTURE.
• 2.4 KTPA GREEN HYDROGEN PLANT SET FOR Q2 FY 26-27 COMMISSIONING.
• GOPALPUR PROJECT FIRST PHASE ON TRACK FOR LATE 2028/EARLY 2029 COMMISSIONING.
• VIJAIPUR PLANT UTILIZES 10 MW PEM ELECTROLYSER TO PRODUCE 4.3 TPD OF HYDROGEN WITH 99.99% PURITY

Download report-https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/assets/img/H2IO-1.pdf