Ongoing Projects

Construction and application of recombinant strain of Bacillus subtilis for production of alkaline-protease

May 23, 2016

| Microbes

| Environment

Protease enzymes are biocatalyst that has long been used as alternative to chemical reactions to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of a wide range of industrial systems and bioprocesses. They are currently applied in both basic and applied arenas of research as well as in a wide range of product design and manufacturing processes e.g. those pertaining to the food, detergent, beverage, leather processing, waste water treatment, and in pharmaceutical industries.

Bio-toilets in schools of the North-eastern States of India for hygiene and technology dissemination

April 1, 2016

| Microbes

The main objectives to be achieved from the project are given below: Operationalization of toilets; Demonstration of anaerobic digester for biogas generation and its utilization; Feasibility for utilization of biogas as clean energy in cooking of midday meal in schools; Promoting behavioural change among school children and teach them to be hygienic. Dissemination of bio-toilets in the DNA club schools by TERINE.

Conducting water audit at selected railway stations of Northern Railway, New Delhi

August 20, 2015

| Water

The objectives of this project are to: (1) Develop a water balance for three selected stations through flow measurement and secondary data.

Microbial Enhancement of Coal Bed Methane (CBM)

February 1, 2015

| Microbes

Climate change is driving a global shift towards cleaner and more efficient energy systems. Coal bed methane (CBM) has emerged as a significant energy resource in India and globally, with strong potential to contribute to the future energy mix.

Microbes to Industrial Solutions: Fermentation Technology Research Centre

January 1, 2010

| Microbes

The Bioremediation and Microbial Biotechnology Area at TERI advances science-driven solutions tailored to the oil and gas sector, waste valorization, and emerging clean energy systems. Research in this domain focuses on the remediation of oil-contaminated sites, produced water, PCBs, microplastics, and other persistent pollutants through customized microbial consortia and nature-based approaches. These interventions support regulatory compliance, enhance the environmental performance of hydrocarbon operations, and contribute to long-term ecosystem restoration.

Prevention of Paraffin Deposition in Oil Well Tubing

June 1, 1999

| Microbes

Paraffin deposition is a major operational challenge in oil production systems. At temperatures below 30°C, paraffinic crude begins to precipitate, leading to progressive build-up on tubing and flowlines. This results in restricted flow, increased pressure, and eventual blockage, causing significant production losses and higher maintenance costs worldwide.

Conventional mitigation approaches, such as thermal treatment, chemical solvents, and mechanical scraping, are expensive, environmentally hazardous, and often require frequent shutdowns, impacting operational efficiency.

Oilzapper: Turning Oil Pollution into Opportunity

June 1, 1993

| Microbes

Oil spills and oily sludge have long posed serious environmental and operational challenges for the oil and gas industry. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, initiated a programme on Petroleum Biotechnology in 1992, under which several research projects were sanctioned. As part of a DBT-funded project, TERI commenced work in 1993 on the selection of indigenous microbial strains for the bioremediation of oil spills.