Page 2 - Latest Updates on Ethanol E20

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. "

Will 'assess' ethanol-blending plan before setting higher targets: Puri

Hardeep Singh Puri said India has met the 20 per cent ethanol blending target six years ahead of schedule but further increases will be reviewed amid concerns over vehicle efficiency

AM Green looking to set up more biorefineries in India: CTO S S V Ramakumar

Following the commissioning of its Rs 4,500 crore bamboo-based biorefinery in Assam, AM Green plans more projects in India to scale ethanol production for petrol blending

PM's ₹18,530 cr push in Assam; launches bioethanol, polypropylene plants

PM Modi inaugurated India's first bamboo-based bioethanol plant and laid foundation for a polypropylene unit in Golaghat, alongside key road and health projects worth ₹18,530 crore in Assam

Gadkari seeks extra discounts for buyers with vehicle scrapping certificate

Speaking at Siam's event, Nitin Gadkari said he has requested PM Modi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman to offer GST relief to customers buying a new vehicle after scrapping their old one

E20 fuel criticism is propaganda by 'rich and strong' petrol lobby: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari dismissed concerns over E20 fuel efficiency as propaganda by a powerful petrol lobby, while stressing growth and innovation in the auto sector

Odisha plans to supply broken rice for ethanol as paddy cultivation rises

The Odisha government is planning to supply broken rice for ethanol production, with more farmers taking up paddy cultivation following an increase in the procurement rate, officials said on Tuesday. The state has the main ethanol plant in Bargarh district, which uses both rice grain and rice straw to produce the item for fuel blending, they said. There are smaller ethanol plants in the state as well, utilising grain feedstock, with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) allocating surplus rice to them for the ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme. A discussion regarding the proposal was held at the first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for procurement for the Kharif 2025-26 season on Monday, officials said. The meeting, chaired by Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, who is in charge of the Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Department, discussed the preparation of a roadmap for post-paddy purchase management, they said. The government has planned to procure the Kharif crops by the e

India's nationwide rollout of E20 ethanol fuel sparks confusion, panic

E20 is petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol, an alcohol mainly produced from sugarcane and grains such as maize and rice

Balrampur, Rajshree zoom up to 20%; why sugar stocks are sweetening?

The government has allowed sugar mills, distilleries to make ethanol from sugarcane juice, syrup and all types of molasses without any restrictions on volumes in Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-2026.

SC dismisses PIL against E20 policy, backs ethanol blending programme

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the E20 ethanol blending policy, reinforcing India's push for cleaner fuels and support for sugarcane farmers

20% ethanol fuel cuts mileage but is safe, say automakers amid complaints

India set a 2025 target years ago for 20 per cent ethanol blending in fuel, called E20, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on clean energy

SC to hear on Sept 1 plea over sale of 20% ethanol blended petrol

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea which has challenged the nationwide rollout of 20 percent Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP-20), alleging that millions of motorists have been forced to use fuel not designed for their vehicles. The public interest litigation (PIL) is listed for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai on September 1. The plea, filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra, has sought a direction to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to ensure availability of ethanol-free petrol at all fuel stations. It has also sought a direction to the authorities to mandatorily label ethanol content on all petrol pumps and dispensing units, making it clearly visible to consumers, and also to ensure that consumers were informed about ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel dispensing. The plea said the authorities be directed to conduct a "nationwide impact study on mechanical degradation and efficiency loss due to ethanol blended fu

Japan to fund $400 million bamboo biofuel refinery project in India

Japan Bank for International Cooperation and private banks to invest around $408 million in bamboo-to-biofuel refinery in Assam, marking Japan's largest clean energy investment in northeast India