IDCOL, BUET unveil ICS Testing Lab to boost clean cooking innovation

Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) and the Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE) at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have jointly inaugurated the IDCOL-DChE, BUET ICS Laboratory, marking a major milestone in advancing clean cooking innovation and research in Bangladesh.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the BUET campus, was attended by Alamgir Morshed, Executive Director and CEO of IDCOL; Md. Enamul Karim Pavel, Head of Renewable Energy, IDCOL; Professor Dr. Shoeb Ahmed, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, BUET; and Professor Dr. Md. Mominur Rahman, alongside faculty members, students, and senior officials from both institutions.

The laboratory is dedicated to testing Improved Cook Stoves (ICS) in accordance with the ISO 19867-1:2018 Harmonized Laboratory Test Protocols for Clean Cookstoves and Clean Cooking Solutions. It will assess key parameters including particulate and gaseous pollutant emissions, energy efficiency, safety, and durability.

Once ISO-certified, the facility will become a globally recognised testing and certification centre, enabling carbon credit registration for clean cooking projects in Bangladesh - a crucial step toward scaling climate-friendly household energy solutions.

This initiative is a major advancement within IDCOL's Improved Cook Stove (ICS) Program, which aims to reduce indoor air pollution, improve public health, and cut carbon emissions. Since its inception in 2013, the program has successfully distributed over 4 million ICS units across rural Bangladesh.

Speaking at the inaugural event, Alamgir Morshed said, "The inauguration of this laboratory signifies a pivotal step toward delivering cleaner, safer, and more efficient cooking solutions for millions of households. It underscores IDCOL's continued commitment to innovation, collaboration, and climate resilience."

Professor Dr. Shoeb Ahmed remarked, "We take pride in our partnership with IDCOL to establish this state-of-the-art facility. Beyond testing and certification, this lab will serve as a platform for research, knowledge exchange, and skill development in clean energy technologies."

Through this collaboration, IDCOL and BUET will advance technological innovation that contributes to sustainable development and environmental protection. IDCOL reaffirmed its commitment to empowering communities through sustainable energy initiatives and strengthening partnerships with academia, development agencies, and the private sector to accelerate Bangladesh's transition toward a cleaner energy future.