Nitin Gadkari urges automobile industry to promote ethanol, flex fuels

Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has asked automobile manufacturers to look into ways of making ethanol and flex fuels more acceptable to the public, citing Brazil’s successful integration of biofuels in its transportation systems. The minister also discussed how a shift to biofuels from fossil fuels would help India become #AtmaNirbhar (self-reliant),

Government begins talks on developing a roadmap to boost ethanol adoption

At the 12th Edition of the CII Bioenergy Summit today, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, underscored India’s remarkable progress in bioenergy, aligning with the summit’s theme, “Fuelling the Future – Securing India’s Green Growth Goals.”Puri highlighted the success of India’s ethanol blending initiative, which has seen the blending percentage rise from

Odisha gets investments for ethanol and compressed biogas projects

The Odisha Government has approved several projects in the state. In ethanol sector, Maa Chinnamastika Energy will invest Rs 104 crore in a grain-based ethanol plant, while IMFA (Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys) Ltd will establish a grain-based ethanol plant in Rayagada with an investment of Rs 139.9 crore. Additionally, investments will be made in

Ethanol production capacity in India increases

The ethanol production capacity in India is experiencing significant growth, which is expected to boost the country’s overall production. According to the Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), India’s ethanol production capacity has risen from 518 crore liters in 2017-18 to an impressive 1,623 crore liters in 2023-24 (As on 31st August 2024), demonstrating

Amid hike in demand for ethanol, India may become importer of corn

India’s push to produce more corn-based ethanol has turned Asia’s top corn exporter into a net importer for the first time in decades, putting pressure on local poultry producers and disrupting global supply chains. Traditionally, the poultry and starch industries used to absorb most of India’s approximately 36 million tonne of corn production. The surge

Centre takes major step towards ethanol production

The Indian government is taking a major step towards boosting ethanol production by contemplating the establishment of dedicated enzyme manufacturing facilities under its recently launched BioE3 policy.  The Department of Biotechnology is considering setting up the first such plant in Manesar, Haryana, to supply proposed 2G bio-ethanol plants in Mathura, Bhatinda, and Panipat.  These efforts

Ethanol push turns India into corn importer

India usually exports 2 million to 4 million metric tons of corn, but in 2024, exports are expected to drop to 450,000 tons. A push by India to make more corn-based ethanol has turned Asia’s top corn exporter into a net importer for the first time in decades, squeezing local poultry producers and scrambling global

Ethanol blending saved Rs 99,000 cr forex since 2014: Puri

India’s ethanol blending program has saved Rs 99,014 crore in foreign exchange since 2014, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. Puri also said that the government has achieved a 15 per cent Ethanol blending target so far, a combination which he wants to take to 20 per cent by Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26.

Govt allows sale of rice from FCI to ethanol makers

The government permitted the sale of up to 2.3 million tonnes of rice from Food Corporation of India (FCI) stocks to grain-based ethanol distilleries, reversing a ban imposed last year. The food ministry, as per a directive, has allowed ethanol producers to participate in e-auctions and purchase rice between August and October 2024 under the

Caramuru, Biocen partner to develop corn ethanol plant

Caramuru, a Brazilian oilseed processor announced it has formed a joint venture (JV) with Brazil based Biocen – Bioenergia Celeiro do Norte S.A to develop a corn ethanol plant in central Brazil. Caramuru will own 51% of the JV, while Biocen will own 49%.  The facility, planned for development in Nova Ubiratã, in the state