India Ethanol Market, By Type (Bio Ethanol, Synthetic Ethanol), By Raw Material (Sugar & Molasses Based, Grain Based, Lignocellulosic Biomass, Algal Biomass), By Purity (Denatured, Undenatured), By Application (Fuel & Fuel Additives, Industrial Solvents, Disinfectant, Personal Care, Beverage), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2029

Market Overview

India Ethanol Market has valued at USD 6512.27 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 8.84% through 2029. Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from various plant materials collectively known as "biomass”. Ethanol's lower carbon intensity compared to conventional fuels has led to a reduction in carbon emissions, contributing to India's efforts to meet its climate goals. Along with this, the Indian government's resolute push for ethanol blending in petrol has been a game-changer. The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, which started in 2003, mandates the blending of ethanol with petrol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote cleaner fuels. The government's commitment to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025 has provided a strong impetus to ethanol production. Moreover, the government's support through incentives, subsidies, and grants has encouraged investment in ethanol production infrastructure. These incentives have stimulated the interest of both public and private entities, resulting in increased capacity and output. Furthermore, ethanol production provides an additional revenue stream for farmers, contributing to rural economic development. The promotion of ethanol acts as a bridge between agriculture and energy sectors, enhancing farmer welfare while advancing energy security. All these factors contribute to the growth of the India Ethanol Market in the forecast period.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Biofuels for Sustainable Development

In recent years, the world has witnessed a growing awareness of the pressing need to transition towards sustainable energy sources, driven by concerns over climate change, dwindling fossil fuel reserves, and the imperative to mitigate environmental degradation. In line with this global shift, India has emerged as a frontrunner in adopting alternative energy solutions, with a particular focus on biofuels as a key component of its sustainable development strategy. Within the realm of biofuels, ethanol has gained prominence as a cleaner and greener alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The rising demand for biofuels, particularly ethanol, in India's pursuit of sustainable development presents a paradigm shift in the country's energy landscape. Moreover, India's burgeoning population, rapid industrialization, and urbanization have led to an exponential increase in energy consumption. The country heavily relies on imported fossil fuels to meet its energy demands, making it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties. Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the challenges of climate change and air pollution. To address these multifaceted issues, India has committed to ambitious goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, which includes a significant reduction in carbon emissions and an increase in the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. To support this agreement, focus on source of energy that are generated from renewable feed stock such as ethanol which is a renewable biofuel derived from organic matter such as sugarcane, corn, and various cellulosic feedstocks, has garnered attention as an effective way to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of conventional fuels by emitting fewer greenhouse gases as compared to traditional gasoline. Therefore, the increasing demand for biofuels for sustainable development led to the growth of India Ethanol Market in the forecast period.

Favorable Policies by Government

In the wake of global calls for a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to energy consumption, the Indian government has taken noteworthy strides to promote the production and utilization of ethanol as an alternative fuel. With a strategic focus on reducing carbon emissions, decreasing dependency on fossil fuels, and ensuring energy security, India has put in place a series of favorable policies that have not only stimulated the growth of the ethanol industry but also positioned the country as a pioneer in sustainable energy transitions. One of the cornerstones of India's ethanol push is the implementation of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program. This progressive policy mandates the blending of ethanol with petrol to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation sector and promote cleaner energy consumption. Since its inception in 2003, the program has undergone significant reforms, culminating in the announcement of an ambitious target to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025. For instance, in May 2022, the Indian government launched National Policy on Biofuels that allow use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee. Moreover, the government has also encouraged the production and use of Flexible Fuel Vehicles that can run on varying blends of ethanol and petrol. This move not only boosts demand for ethanol but also provides consumers with greater fuel choice. Along with this, the government provides subsidiaries and benefits to the sugarcane producers. Due to various support by the government is anticipated to drive the demand in the forecast period.

Increasing Demand from Automotive Sector

The automotive sector, a significant contributor to carbon emissions, is undergoing a remarkable transformation as the world intensifies efforts to combat climate change and reduce its environmental impact. In this pursuit, the demand for cleaner and more sustainable fuel alternatives has gained substantial momentum, with ethanol emerging as a frontrunner in revolutionizing the automotive industry. The surging demand for ethanol from the automotive sector is not only reshaping the fuel landscape but also driving a shift towards a more environmentally conscious and greener future. The automotive sector has long relied on fossil fuels, predominantly gasoline and diesel, to power vehicles and facilitate transportation. However, the drawbacks of these traditional fuels - ranging from air pollution to climate-altering emissions - are increasingly evident. Ethanol, a biofuel derived from renewable resources, presents an appealing alternative due to its potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. Moreover, in automobile sector, Indian government passed or introduced different initiatives and policy to promote the use of ethanol as a fuel in the automobile industry that propels the demand of ethanol in the country. For example, Indian government launched fuel blended with 20% ethanol (E20) in phased manner from April 2023 to ensure availability of E20 by 2025. Ethanol is widely used as a fuel additive in gasoline to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve engine performance. All these factors dominate the growth of India Ethanol Market in the forecast period.

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Key Market Challenges

Lack of Awareness

Without awareness and understanding of ethanol, consumers and industries may not be inclined to adopt it as a fuel source. This could result in a slower transition from traditional fossil fuels to more sustainable alternatives like ethanol. In addition, a lack of knowledge by consumers of the environmental benefits of ethanol blended gasoline, as well as persistent rumors that it harms vehicle engines, continue to negatively affect sales of blended petrol.

Limited Availability of Feedstock

Fluctuations in agricultural production, weather conditions, and seasonal variations can affect the availability and pricing of the feedstocks like broken rice and maize, along with large quantity of water requirement by sugarcane industry also creates a problem in the availability of the feedstock result in hampering the market growth.

Key Market Trends

Expansion of Production Capacity

India has been making efforts to expand its ethanol production capacity in recent years. Currently, most of the country's ethanol production comes from sugarcane molasses and cassava, which are grown as local crops. India has been attracting investments in new ethanol plants, with both domestic and foreign investors seeing potential in the market. By December 2023, the ethanol production capacity for ethanol blending and other uses is expected to reach 12440 million liters. In January 2023, the Food Ministry has in principle approved 11 major new ethanol projects under a new interest subvention scheme. This would help in adding an additional 470 million liters of ethanol. Out of the 11 projects, 10 are grain-based and one is based on dual feedstock.

Focus on Green Fuels

The focus on green fuels, including ethanol, has had a significant impact on the India Ethanol Market. The focus on green fuels has led to an increased demand for ethanol as a renewable fuel source. Ethanol is seen as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, and the demand for ethanol has been driven by government policies and incentives that promote the use of biofuels in transportation. The focus on green fuels has also led to a diversification of feedstocks used in ethanol production. In addition to traditional feedstocks such as sugarcane and grains, ethanol producers are exploring the use of non-food feedstocks such as algal biomass to produce ethanol. Adoption of green fuels has also led to environmental benefits, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

Based on the type, the bio ethanol segment is expected to register the highest growth of 15.84% during the forecast period 2025-2029, on account of the potential to green energy source. This growth can be attributed as bio ethanol is obtained from different types of plants rich in cellulose such as sugar cane, sugar beet, or some grains such as corn. Bio ethanol reduces CO₂ emissions, does not generate waste. Along with that it also reduces dependence on crude oil which leads to the growth of India Ethanol Market during the forecast period.

Application Insights

Based on the application, the fuel & fuel additives segment is expected to register the highest growth of 16.66% during the forecast period, 2025-2029. This can be ascribed due to wide use of fuel & fuel adhesives in various applications such as fuel tanks, fuselage, wings, and engine components. Along with that, it provides high resistance to temperature, pressure, and chemical exposure, as well as excellent bonding strength and durability. Moreover, ethanol-based fuel and fuel additives offer a more sustainable and cleaner-burning fuel option, which is becoming increasingly attractive to consumers and government as well that boost the growth of India Ethanol Market during the projected period.

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Regional Insights

North Region Ethanol market will witness fastest growth of 16.65% during the forecast period 2025-2029. This is because the production capacity of ethanol is very high as compared to other region as well as in the forecast period a greater number of production plants will be opened which further increase the production capacity of the ethanol in the region. Additionally, in many states of the region such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab adequate quantity of feed stocks available which further encourage the market player to install huge number of ethanol production plants that result in contributing to the expansion of the India Ethanol Market.

Recent Developments

• In July 2023, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has sold 1.305 million tonnes of rice for conversion into ethanol till July 10 in the current marketing year 2022-2023, earning a revenue of USD 315.20 million. The government has been implementing Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, wherein oil marketing companies sell petrol blended with ethanol up to 10%.
• In February 2023, fuels and mobility entity Jio-bp a joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp announced the roll-out of E20 blended petrol, a twenty percent blend of ethanol and eighty percent of fossil-based fuel and become one of the first fuel retailers in India to make E20 blended petrol available.
• In February 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the higher 20 per cent ethanol blended petrol two months ahead of the planned rollout in April, at the India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 in Bengaluru.
• In May 2022, Oil marketing companies including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have entered into a long-term purchase agreement (LTPA) for upcoming dedicated ethanol plants across India. As per agreement, ethanol produced by these dedicated ethanol plants shall be sold to OMCs for blending with petrol as per the Centre's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme.
• In May 2022, Oil marketing companies including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have entered into a long-term purchase agreement (LTPA) for upcoming dedicated ethanol plants across India. As per agreement, ethanol produced by these dedicated ethanol plants shall be sold to OMCs for blending with petrol as per the Centre's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme.

Key Market Players

• India Glycol Limited
• Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd.
• Shree Renuka Sugars Limited
• Balrampur Chini Mills Limited
• Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd
• Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Ltd.
• Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Limited
• E.I.D.-Parry (India) Limited
• Simbhaoli Sugars Ltd.
• Mawana Sugars Limited

Report Scope:

In this report, the India Ethanol Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Ethanol Market, By Type:

o   Bio Ethanol

o   Synthetic Ethanol

• Ethanol Market, By Purity

o   Denatured

o   Undenatured  

• Ethanol Market, By Raw Material:

o   Sugar & Molasses Based

o   Grain Based

o   Lignocellulosic Biomass

o   Algal Biomass

• Ethanol Market, By Application:

o   Fuel & Fuel Additives

o   Industrial Solvents

o   Disinfectant

o   Personal Care

o   Beverage

• Ethanol Market, By Region:

o   North

o   West

o   South

o    East

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India Ethanol Market.

Available Customizations:

India Ethanol Market report with the given market data, Tech Sci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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