India’s rapid progress in ethanol blending is emerging as a global benchmark for countries seeking to enhance energy security through renewable fuels. According to the Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA), India’s policy-driven approach to ethanol production and blending demonstrates how governments can successfully reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports while promoting sustainable economic growth. Arushi Jain, Joint Secretary, GEMA, speaking at The Alcohol School Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, highlighted India’s “Roadmap to E20 & Beyond”, highlighting the country’s achievements in ethanol blending, policy reforms and feedstock diversification.
India Showcases Ethanol Success at International Conference
During the conference, GEMA presented India’s ethanol roadmap to delegates from across the global biofuel industry. The session attracted significant interest, particularly from Thailand, which currently operates an E10 ethanol blending programme and is evaluating higher blending levels despite feedstock-related challenges. The presentation highlighted how India’s long-term policy support, diversified raw material base and industry collaboration have enabled the country to rapidly scale up ethanol production and blending.
India Becomes the World’s Third-Largest Ethanol Producer
India has now emerged as the world’s third-largest ethanol producer, successfully achieving the 20% ethanol blending (E20) target through the use of multiple feedstocks, including maize, rice and sugarcane. During the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25, the country blended approximately 10.39 billion litres of ethanol into petrol. Furthermore, ethanol blending volumes are projected to rise to nearly 12 billion litres during ESY 2025-26, reflecting the continued expansion of India’s biofuel programme. According to GEMA, this diversified approach has strengthened India’s energy security while reducing reliance on imported crude oil and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Policy Support Drives India’s Ethanol Growth
Jain mentioned that India’s ethanol journey demonstrates the importance of long-term policy planning and strong collaboration between government and industry. She noted that India’s experience proves renewable fuel programmes can deliver multiple benefits simultaneously by improving energy security, supporting cleaner transportation, boosting rural incomes, reducing fossil fuel imports and encouraging investment in the biofuel sector. She also emphasised that although every country has unique agricultural resources and policy priorities, India’s ethanol programme offers valuable lessons for governments planning to expand renewable fuel adoption.
Building a Complete Biofuel Ecosystem
According to GEMA, achieving higher ethanol blending requires more than setting blending targets. Jain highlighted the importance of encouraging innovation in higher ethanol blends, flex-fuel vehicles, second-generation (2G) ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to ensure long-term growth of the global biofuel industry.
Global Collaboration Will Accelerate Renewable Fuel Adoption
GEMA believes that continued policy stability, technological innovation and international knowledge-sharing will play a crucial role in accelerating the global transition to renewable fuels. As more countries look to strengthen energy security and decarbonise their transport sectors, India’s policy-led ethanol success offers a practical and scalable model for developing sustainable biofuel ecosystems. As per the press release, through coordinated policy reforms, diversified feedstocks and strong industry participation, India has positioned itself as a global leader in the renewable fuels sector while providing valuable lessons for the international biofuel industry.
