Producers pitch for increasing use of ethanol

The Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), urging the Government for a fast-tracked and calibrated roadmap for ethanol blending beyond E20.

The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association recently appealed to the government to initiate an appropriate study or pilot programme to examine the technical feasibility, safety standards, and economic viability of ethanol-based cooking solutions.

With the Iran war resulting in higher oil prices and LPG shortage, ethanol producers want the government to promote the use of ethanol.

India currently imports nearly 85% of its crude oil requirement. Recent geopolitical tensions in West Asia and disruptions in global shipping routes have highlighted vulnerabilities in global energy supply chains, said the ISMA.

The country now has an installed distillation capacity of nearly 2,000 crore litres (including both sugar- and grain-based ethanol), with the sugar sector contributing approximately 900 crore litres. The ethanol requirement for achieving E20 blending is estimated at around 1,100 crore litres annually. This indicates that only about 55% of the current installed capacity will be used. Deepak Ballani, Director General, ISMA said, “The country possesses adequate domestic ethanol production capacity to move beyond E20, making this an opportune moment for a calibrated and forward-looking roadmap.

Advancing higher ethanol blends, alongside the phased rollout of Flex-Fuel Vehicles will enhance value retention within the domestic economy, he said.

Meanwhile, as of March 15, sugar production reached 262.14 lakh tonnes, compared with 237.24 lakh tonnes on the corresponding date last year, which is 10.5% higher.