November 22, 2006

India ventures into ethanol production

Biofuel production and consumption in India is still at a "nascent stage," but the country  has initiated policy measures to encourage the use of ethanol and biofuels, according to a USDA attache report posted Tuesday.

India recently initiated policies to encourage bio-fuel production and usage. The bio-fuel policies are driven by the need to lower India's dependence on imports, provide environmentally friendly alternative fuels, and to support Indian farmers by devising ways to support higher production of sugarcane.

India is one of the world's leading producers of sugar, and its domestic rectified spirits (alcohol) and ethanol production comes from sugar molasses, a byproduct of the sugar industry. Corn and other food grains are not used for sweetener, alcohol, or ethanol production.

Most of the bio-diesel production efforts are focused on using non-edible oils from plant (Jatropha curcus, Pongamia pinnata, etc) and animal sources.