Praj is now all set to introduce a patented technology for treatment and utilisation of distillery spentwash. The Biomac pilot plant is a fast reaction biocomposting plant which produces manure from distillery waste. The company is negotiating with a European Bank for finance to fund these plants. The size of the funds in the first phase would be around $10 to $12 million. Praj is working with the bank to structure finance and work out a package of concessional finance.

Praj Industries chairman and managing director Pramod Chaudhari said the company decided to focus on core areas of technology which involve engineering systems for biotech processes. The reorganization strategy included non-performing businesses such as plate heat exchangers, dryers and separators from its product line. This led to rightsizing of the company and rationalisation of manpower. Apart from this the company infused Rs five crore through private placement of equity.

Major orders executed during the year was a plant expansion project for Fosters, a grain distillery for Seagram at Nasik, fermentation system for India Glycols, a vacuum distillation technology based plant for IFB Agro and a wastewater treatment plant turning distillery spentwash into a cattlefeed additive at Penguin Alcohols.