India’s sugar industry calls for ethanol blending above 20%

The sugar industry in India has urged the government to increase ethanol blending in fuel beyond the current 20% level. Industry representatives say the country has excess production capacity and that expanding the programme would help reduce dependence on imported crude oil.

The issue was raised during a meeting between industry representatives and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi. According to the sugar and bio-energy industry association, the government has already begun considering options to increase ethanol use as some production capacity remains underutilized.

Industry leaders stressed that ethanol derived from sugarcane could play a key role in strengthening the country’s energy security. India’s heavy reliance on imported crude oil and liquefied gas makes the economy vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions and global price volatility.

The ethanol blending programme has already shown positive results by reducing fossil fuel imports, saving foreign exchange and providing stable income for millions of farmers involved in sugarcane production.

According to industry data, ethanol supply in India has risen sharply in recent years — from about 3.8 billion liters in 2014 to more than 66 billion liters today. Expanding the programme further could support rural economies, strengthen the bioenergy sector and help reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy resources.

Tags: sugar, India, biofuel