The Hindu Business Line : Envirofit launches biomass stoves in AP

Hyderabad, Dec. 9 Envirofit, a research and development organisation, has launched in Andhra Pradesh a range of biomass fired cookstoves that could reduce toxic emissions by 80 per cent while using 50 per cent less fuel.

Envirofit is a non-profit organisation with primary emphasis on applications in the developing world. Envirofit India Pvt Ltd is an associate of the US-based Envirofit International. The stoves are the outcome of a partnership between Envirofit and Shell Foundation of the UK.

Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, Ms Martha Kohlhagen, Director (Sales) India, Envirofit (India) Private Ltd, said, “Biomass (wood, crop waste and animal dung) is likely to remain the primary cooking fuel for a large majority of rural Indian households for many years to come. Against this background, we are committed to developing products that will make a significant contribution to healthier and cleaner living.”

‘Less toxic’

She added that the stoves designed by the company help in reducing cooking time by 40 per cent. The stoves priced between Rs 700 and Rs 2,800 are available in four models.

The company has launched two variants of the single pot stove and plans to introduce the double pot stove in January next year. It has already launched them in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

“The stoves burn traditional biomass fuels and are engineered to emit significantly less toxic emissions and use less fuel,” she said.

The company anticipates selling 10 million stoves across five countries and around five million stoves in the country over the next five years.

Ms Kohlhagen said that the stoves are manufactured in China and in the next two years, they expect to have a production facility in India.

“Though the location for setting up the facility has not yet been finalised, looking at the availability and sourcing of the raw materials, it might come up near Bangalore or Chennai,” she added.

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