Ravi Shrinivasan1, Sanjay Awasthi2 and N Gopalakrishnan3
Krushnaraj Biofuel Pvt Ltd, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India
2Sugar Technologists Association of India, New Delhi, India
3SISSTA, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
India is the third largest energy consumer in the world and has the fourth largest economy. The Indian biofuels industry is growing rapidly and is the third largest ethanol producer, programmed to achieve E20 in 2025-26. Ethanol production capacity is around 16.50 GL and 9-10 GL are produced annually. However, in 2025-26, it requires more than 10 GL of ethanol to achieve E20 by next year. This is a game changer of industrial revolution in biofuels sector. In the ESY 2024-25. Oil Marketing companies require 9.7 GL but only 8.37 GL of ethanol has been allotted by the OMCs. The country is facing challenges in sugar and grain-based feedstocks. Currently, the maximum ethanol supply from grain is around 51% of the total and uses 11.46 Mt of maize. The balance of 49% comes from damaged rice, wheat, sugarcane juice and syrup, C and B-Heavy Molasses. Food and energy security has to be achieved and the Indian government through its serious initiatives will act as major game changer in biofuels industry.