Sugar industry is ready to assist the government in meeting international aviation blending targets
A sugar industry body has stated that it is ready to assist the government in meeting international aviation blending targets, which are set to take effect in 2027 under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) mandate.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) a day before the All India Sugar Trade Association’s annual conference, the industry body has informed Food Minister Pralhad Joshi of the need for a plan to convert sugar mills into bio-refineries. According to ISMA, such a transition will help increase the production of sustainable aviation fuel and other green energy sources.
ISMA representatives met with Joshi to discuss a policy framework for expanding beyond the current focus on ethanol, bioelectricity, and biogas to include the production of sustainable aviation fuel, green hydrogen, E-100, and 2-G ethanol.
Biorefinery plans
According to ISMA Director-General Deepak Ballani, the initiative will help India achieve its net-zero and self-reliance goals. Also Read | India’s net sugar production in FY 2025 is expected to fall to 30mt – ICRA
“We see a future where local resources drive national development,” he said in the statement. He emphasized that such a transition is consistent with the government’s vision for an atma nirbhar (self-sufficient) Bharat, and that the plan (presented by ISMA) aims to create alternative markets for India’s estimated 55 million sugarcane farmers, building on the success of the current ethanol blending programme in increasing farmer incomes.
Given India’s leadership in the Global Biofuels Alliance, Joshi has emphasized the importance of promoting 100% ethanol (E-100) use at select 400 petrol pumps, which the government launched last year.
ISMA has pledged to work closely with the government to expedite the implementation of the bio-refinery plan, which is expected to set new industry benchmarks and strengthen India’s energy security, according to the statement.
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