Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged full government support for an innovative project aimed at producing fuel oil from human waste and agricultural residues after witnessing a demonstration at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Researchers from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) presented their technology, research findings and plans for commercial production, saying the process could eventually replace 10–15 per cent of imported crude oil and save up to Tk13,000 crore annually in foreign exchange.
Kuet researcher Md Khalekuzzaman briefed the prime minister on the technical and research aspects of producing fuel oil from human waste, sewage treatment plant waste, kitchen waste and agricultural residues.
The prime minister observed the demonstration and reviewed the project’s operations and implementation plan. Recognising its potential, he assured the researchers of all necessary government assistance to implement the initiative.
Developed through approximately 10 years of research, the technology uses hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to convert waste into bio-crude oil.
Kuet scientists have made significant progress, with laboratory tests yielding 50–55 per cent bio-crude oil. The researchers have also successfully produced diesel-rich bio-crude.
They informed the prime minister that the next phase would involve establishing a pilot plant capable of processing one to three tonnes of waste daily.
The facility would be used to assess the technology’s effectiveness, production costs and commercial viability before any large-scale implementation.
The proposed project is estimated to require an investment of Tk100 crore to Tk120 crore.
According to the researchers, successful commercial expansion could eventually allow the technology to replace approximately 10–15 per cent of imported crude oil.
They estimated that this could generate annual foreign exchange savings of Tk6,500 crore to Tk13,000 crore, although further testing would be needed to establish the technology’s effectiveness and economic viability on a commercial scale.
The researchers expressed confidence that government support for scaling up the technology could help address Bangladesh’s fuel oil shortages and waste management challenges.
They said successful implementation could reduce dependence on fuel imports, conserve foreign exchange, cut environmental pollution and create new opportunities for the domestic fuel sector.
Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, State Minister Aninda Islam Amit, University Grants Commission (UGC) Member Abdullah Al Mamun, Kuet Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Masud and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Mohammad Rafiqul Islam attended the event.
