The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), the apex body of the sugar and bio-energy industry, presented a detailed roadmap to the key stakeholders of the ministry of food, public distribution and consumer affairs for policy framework required to transition Indian sugar mills into bio-refineries, producing along with the existing portfolio of bio-ethanol, bio-electricity and bio-gas and other emerging energy streams of strategic importance like sustainable aviation fuel, green hydrogen, E-100 and 2-G ethanol.
As per the press release, developing on the government’s vision of net zero and Atmanirbhar Bharat, a successful execution of the initiative would also create an alternate market for millions of Indian farmers employed in the sugarcane value chain across India.
Deepak Ballani, Director General of the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) commented, “The day when the minister of food drove a car running 100% on ethanol that is made in India by our sugarcane farmers, we know that the future of India lies in Bio. ISMA as the largest consortium of biofuels producers in the country presented our vision for Indian sugar mills to to concerned authorities and discussed a roadmap for making the fifty-five million Indian sugarcane farmers who are already driving our cars to also now fly our planes in the future- saving the nation from depending on external imports as well as delivering on India’s ambitious climate targets. Our partnership with the government is a big step towards achieving this goal, focusing on cutting edge bio-refinery technologies that will set new benchmarks for growth and strengthen India’s energy resilience. We see a future where local resources drive national development, which is exactly what the government has envisioned for Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.
