VMSRF, in collaboration with IMTECH, Chandigarh had developed an energy efficient process for production of alcohol in molasses based industries. This uses the genetically enhanced IMT 2 and IMT 2.11 yeast strains, having high osmotolerence and ethanol tolerance. In high gravity fermentation these strains yield higher alcohol content in fermented wash, when compared to conventional yeast strains. This could give significant savings on distillation steam cost, process water consumption and effluent discharge.

The technology was awarded with CSIR Technology price 1994 for Biological Sciences & Technology.