Latest Updates on Ethanol E20

Brazil's dual-fuel ethanol fleet stabilises gasoline prices amid Iran war

As the war in Iran rattles global oil markets, Brazil is partially shielded by a decades-old buffer against shocks that is both cheap and environmentally friendly. Tens of millions of drivers here can choose between filling their tank with 100 per cent sugarcane-based ethanol or a gasoline blend that contains 30 per cent of biofuel. Brazil's massive dual-fuel fleet - consisting of vehicles capable of running on any combination of ethanol and gasoline - is unique in its scale. The program, launched in 1975 during the country's military dictatorship, has successfully evolved in democratic times to reduce dependency on foreign oil. Today, as the latest conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel enters its fifth week, nations like India and Mexico are looking at the Brazilian model as a blueprint for energy security. While consumers worldwide face steep price hikes, Brazilian gasoline prices rose just 5 per cent in March - compared to 30 per cent in the United States. Analys

West Asia crisis: Centre to push for flex-fuel vehicles amid supply crunch

Government fast-tracks flex-fuel vehicle rollout, convenes automakers meet as fuel supply disruptions push shift beyond E20 ethanol blending

Ready to supply more than 20% ethanol blends amid rising oil prices: AIDA

With West Asia in turmoil and crude oil prices rising, the All India Distillers' Association (AIDA) has offered to supply ethanol blends exceeding 20 per cent with petrol, saying the move could proportionally reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil. In a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, AIDA Deputy Director General Bharati Balaji said the ethanol industry was prepared to go beyond the E20 target already achieved by the country. "Now with the Middle East entangled in a war and oil prices having started increasing, we as an ethanol industry are ready to offer ethanol more than 20 per cent which will reduce proportionally the import of crude," she said in the letter. She said such a step will mitigate supply disruptions and adverse economic impact on the country. India achieved its E20 ethanol blending target -- mixing 20 per cent ethanol with petrol -- ahead of schedule in 2025, a goal set under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administrat

Can ethanol cookstoves be the answer to India’s LPG woes? | LPG crisis | West Asia war | US-Iran war

Amid fears of LPG shortages due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, ethanol cookstoves are emerging as a potential alternative for Indian households. But can they really replace LPG?

Industry body pitches for ethanol-based cookstoves amid LPG crisis

The industry body said ethanol-based cooking solutions could complement existing LPG usage, particularly when India's growing cooking fuel demand relies heavily on imports

Odisha bio-refinery faces production delays due to tech challenges: Centre

Centre says commissioning of BPCL's second-generation ethanol bio-refinery in Odisha's Bargarh has been delayed due to pandemic disruptions and limited availability of specialised technology vendors

ISMA urges PMO to fast-track ethanol blending beyond 20% amid energy crisis

Sources said ISMA, in a letter written a few days ago, stated that while global energy markets remain uncertain, accelerating domestic biofuel utilisation is both an economic and strategic imperative

SC ruling on Vinp Distilleries restores parity in ethanol procurement: ISMA

The dispute arose after Vinp approached the High Court seeking higher allocation under its long-term offtake agreement (LTOA) in the OMC tender for the 2025-26 ethanol supply year

How India can kick the West Asian oil habit by boosting ethanol use

Surplus ethanol capacity and rising geopolitical risks revive calls for higher blending targets as India weighs E30, flex fuels and even E50 to bolster energy security

Maharashtra takes private route to revive sick cooperative sugar mills

Policy allows establishment of sugarcane byproduct processing projects through private investors

Ethanol producers face overcapacity as blending program hits roadblock

For ethanol supply year (ESY) 2025-26, several ethanol producers have procurement orders below capacity, forcing some to pause expansion plans as policy uncertainty grows around the blending roadmap

India can lead global exports via low-carbon ethanol: Triveni Engineering

India is positioning itself as a potential export hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), leveraging surplus ethanol capacity and lower carbon intensity compared to rivals like Brazil, according to Sameer Sinha, CEO (Sugar Business) of Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd. In an interview with PTI, Sinha outlined India's competitive advantages in the emerging SAF market. The earliest alcohol-to-jet SAF plants could become operational by 2029, he projected, assuming policy clarity emerges by the end of the current financial year. Until then, India will rely on limited SAF production from used cooking oil for 1-2 per cent blending. "India has very significant potential to emerge as an export hub for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We can start exporting on the East Coast to Southeast Asian countries, where Singapore is a major aviation hub. Similarly, on the West Coast to countries like Dubai," said Sinha. Triveni is among 2-3 Indian companies exploring SAF production facilities, though

India shifting from fuel importer to exporter, says Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said India is transitioning from a fuel-importing to a fuel-exporting nation, driven by the growing production and use of ethanol, methanol and green hydrogen. Gadkari, addressing the 84th annual session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), emphasised the government's commitment to road safety, focusing on advanced engineering standards, intelligent transport systems, and awareness initiatives. India is transitioning from a fuel-importing to a fuel-exporting nation, driven by the growing production and use of ethanol, methanol, bio-LNG, CNG, and green hydrogen, he said. India is the fastest-growing economy in the world. The dream of our Prime Minister is to make India the third-largest economy. Our mission is to make the country a Vishwaguru'. For that, we need world-class infrastructure in the water, power, transport, and communication segments, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister said. Gadkari said the government's aim is to build

India may double sugar exports as ethanol diversion falls sharply

Higher exports from the world's second-largest sugar producer could pressure benchmark New York and London futures, which are hovering near five-year lows

Govt may allow sugar exports as surplus builds on lower ethanol diversion

The government is considering allowing sugar exports in the 2025-26 marketing year, as surplus stocks accumulate due to lower-than-expected diversion of the sweetener for ethanol production, a top government official said on Wednesday. The country's sugar mills diverted only 3.4 million tonnes of sugar for ethanol manufacturing in 2024-25, well below the projected 4.5 million tonnes, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra told PTI in an interview. This has resulted in high opening stocks for the current 2025-26 marketing year that runs from October to September, he said. Sugar production for 2025-26 is expected to reach 34 million tonnes against the annual domestic demand of 28.5 million tonnes, Chopra added. When asked about the industry's demands to allow exports as well as higher diversion for ethanol, Chopra said: "We are definitely having a surplus of sugar... We are considering allowing exports." He hinted that a decision might be taken soon, as the government would like to giv

Washington's push to put US corn in Indian cars to face tough road ahead

New Delhi would seek a reciprocal US tariff of 20 per cent or less and a swift deal, fearing Indian exporters could fall further behind Southeast Asian rivals if negotiations drag on

Ethanol makers slam OMCs' 2025-26 supply tender over allocation policy

Both grain and sugarcane ethanol producers criticise OMCs' allocation for 2025-26, citing unfair distribution, capacity underuse, and potential negative impact on the sugar sector

Over 350 distilleries face ethanol allocation uncertainty: Industry body

More than 350 operational distilleries across the country are facing an uncertain future due to inadequate procurement orders under the latest ethanol tender, with industry bodies flagging concerns over the allocation methodology that favours new entrants over existing units. The Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26 tender issued by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) has come under fire from stakeholders who allege that the allocation criteria is creating artificial imbalances, while sidelining distilleries set up under prior government commitments. According to the tender document (#1000442332), zones where offers from local distilleries fall short of requirements are classified as deficit zones, with all local offers considered full for allocation. However, industry representatives say this approach ignores surplus capacity in neighbouring states, much of which was established under Long-Term Offtake Agreements (LTOA) and Expression of Interest initiatives promoted by OMCs themselves. "