Bio-based feedstocks: The Indian model

India is advancing the development of bio-based feedstocks through targeted policies and innovative approaches. Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director at Godavari Biorefineries, discusses how ethanol-based value chains are being utilised to create sustainable intermediates for the coatings industry while ensuring traceability and resource efficiency,

. 

How is India advancing responsible bio-based feedstocks?

Sangeeta Srivastava: Today’s geopolitical tensions are forcing the global chemical value chain to reevaluate its dependence on bio-based raw materials for fuels and chemicals. India, the world’s third-largest ethanol producer, is a premier example of how proactive policy drives this bio-based transformation. By progressively increasing bioethanol blending targets up to 30% in fuels, the government has created the robust demand necessary for the industry to achieve true commercial scale. At Godavari Biorefineries, we have built upon this foundation through dedicated research and scalable feedstock innovation. Utilising responsibly sourced sugarcane, we convert bioethanol into higher-value, sustainable intermediates like bio-butanol—a critical building block for the next generation of more sustainable coatings and acrylates.

Crucially, we secure this supply from the ground up. By partnering directly with smallholder farmers, we strengthen better labor rights and social conditions, deploy modern agricultural technologies and regenerative practices to improve soil health and boost crop yields. This continuous innovation and co-creation at the farm level ensures that our productivity gains protect food security, delivering scalable, non-food feedstocks that empower global material science.

What challenges remain in scaling sustainable bio-based feedstocks?

Srivastava: Scaling sustainable bio-based feedstocks creates opportunities to further optimise the entire system. While feedstock availability is seasonal, we see a catalyst for continual innovation. To address seasonality and ensure a reliable supply chain, our integrated biorefinery model is designed for maximum operational flexibility. Furthermore, our direct collaboration with smallholder farmers on regenerative agriculture focuses heavily on resource efficiency, drastically optimising water and land use to ensure our yields grow without straining local ecosystems. Still, broader market adoption requires absolute trust, and certification and traceability systems are evolving to meet this need.

Godavari is proactively championing this transparency. By offering Bonsucro/USDA-certified bio-based products and maintaining a clear, auditable line of sight from the farmer’s field to the final chemical intermediate, we are delivering the robust lifecycle assessment (LCA) data that brand owners demand. Farm-to-factory traceability builds confidence across the value chain, actively de-risking the transition toward sustainable materials.

What are the advantages of ethanol-derived bio-based intermediates for the coatings industry?

Srivastava: The development of ethanol-based value chains both enables and accelerates the production of higher-value bio-based intermediates. Over time, bio-based derivatives such as bio-butanol offer a more predictable cost base compared to petrochemical feedstocks, which are exposed to crude oil volatility. This creates a strong foundation for scalable and competitive solutions.

This interview is part of a two piece series. We also spoke to Julie Haevermans, Vice President of Marketing, Coating Solutions, and Richard Jenkins, Senior Vice President, Coating Solutions, of Arkema, who is working with Godavari Biorefineries, about how industry collaboration, regional priorities, and supply chain dynamics are shaping the future of bio-based technologies.

Source:- Europenacoatings.com

• Read more about Bio-based feedstocks: The Indian model

This clean cooking fuel made from crop waste could help power millions of Indian home kitchens

With LPG prices rising and global conflicts disrupting fuel supplies,India Already has a Homegrown solution made from Crop Waste.Scientists have developed Dimethyl Ether (DME), a clean cooking fuel made from crop waste and captured CO₂ that can work with existing LPG infrastructure.

If scaled, it could cut imports, support farmers, and strengthen India’s energy security.

Global conflicts are choking fuel supplies, LPG prices are soaring, and millions of Indian kitchens are struggling. But a homegrown innovation— Dimethyl Ether (DME)—could replace LPG and put control back in India’s hands.

Developed by India’s National Chemical Laboratory, DME is produced from crop residue and industrial CO₂, giving farmers extra income while cleaning helping cities breathe cleaner air.It burns clean, produces less smoke, and works with existing LPG infrastructure. Kitchens can switch without the need for new pipe lines or gadgets.

The technology has successfully demonstrated indigenous DME production at 250 kg/day, with plans to scale to 2.5 tonnes/day.Godavari Biorefineries and ICT Mumbai’s one-step CO₂+ hydrogen to DME process—a global first—has won the Kishore Mariwala Award, proving India can scale sustainable science.

From farm waste to your kitchen flame, DME shows that India can solve its fuel challenges—cleanly, sustainably, and locally.

Could this be the answer to India’s LPG shortage and energy self-reliance? 

Source: thebetterindia.com

Link:- thebetterindia

• Read more about This clean cooking fuel made from crop waste could help power millions of Indian home kitchens

No Engine Damage, No Insurance Risk: Centre Debunks Viral Ethanol Myths

India's ambitious ethanol blending programme has come under fresh scrutiny on social media, prompting the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas to issue a strong clarification against what it described as "misleading and unsubstantiated" claims about E20 fuel.

The ministry on Tuesday said several old videos, images and inaccurate claims are being circulated online to create confusion around Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP), despite the programme being scientifically validated and continuously monitored by authorities.

The government's statement comes amid a surge in viral content alleging engine damage, water contamination, insect attraction and even insurance-related complications linked to E20 fuel. Officials said these claims have no scientific basis and risk undermining a programme that has become a key pillar of India's energy security strategy.

"The Ethanol Blending Programme is scientifically validated and continuously monitored by the Government," the ministry said, adding that the rollout of higher ethanol blending levels has been undertaken only after extensive technical evaluation and consultations with automobile manufacturers, fuel testing agencies, oil marketing companies and other stakeholders.

Two Decades In The Making

India launched its ethanol blending programme in 2003 with a clear objective: reduce dependence on imported crude oil, improve energy security and cut emissions.

The programme was implemented gradually over the years before the nationwide rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol, or E20, from 2023 onwards.

According to the government, no widespread cases of engine failure or vehicle breakdown attributable to ethanol blending have been reported since the introduction of E20 fuel.

One of the latest claims circulating online revolves around ethanol's hygroscopic nature, or its tendency to absorb moisture. The ministry clarified that water entering a fuel tank is undesirable regardless of whether the fuel contains ethanol or not. Modern vehicles are equipped with safeguards and design features to prevent water ingress into fuel systems.

Sugarcane Juice & Petrol? 

Another set of viral videos has attempted to portray sugarcane juice being mixed directly with petrol. The government dismissed such content as misleading and baseless.

Officials explained that fuel-grade ethanol undergoes multiple industrial processes, including fermentation and distillation, before it can be blended with petrol. While ethanol may be produced from feedstocks such as sugarcane juice, molasses, maize and broken rice, the final ethanol bears no resemblance to the original agricultural input.

The ministry said such videos appear designed primarily to generate sensationalism and attract online viewership.

The 'Ants Near Fuel Cap' Controversy

One of the most widely shared videos in recent weeks showed ants gathering near a vehicle's fuel tank, triggering speculation that E20 fuel was attracting insects because of residual sugar content.

Responding to the controversy, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) clarified that fuel-grade ethanol contains no residual sugars. The fermentation and distillation process removes sugars entirely, while denaturants added to fuel ethanol are actually repellent to insects.

"There is no identifiable attractant associated with E20 fuel that would cause ants or other insects to congregate around vehicle fuel caps," BPCL said, rejecting the claim as scientifically unsupported.

Insurance Concerns Also Dismissed

The government also addressed another concern gaining traction online -- that using E20 fuel could invalidate vehicle insurance policies.

After consultations with relevant stakeholders, authorities concluded that these claims were incorrect. The ministry reiterated that consumers using E20 fuel have no reason to fear adverse consequences for insurance coverage solely because of ethanol blending.

Global Practice, Not An Indian Experiment

Officials pointed out that ethanol blending is not unique to India. It is already widely used in major economies including the United States, Brazil and Japan.

Brazil, often cited as a global benchmark in biofuels, uses E27 as its standard petrol blend, a higher ethanol concentration than India's current E20 fuel.

The government said India's ethanol roadmap has been developed after studying international experience and adapting it to local conditions.

Rs 1.4 Lakh Crore Saved, Farmers Gain

Beyond technical safety, the government highlighted the economic impact of the programme.

According to official estimates, ethanol blending has helped India save more than Rs 1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing crude oil imports. The programme has also created steady demand for agricultural feedstocks used in ethanol production, supporting farmer incomes and strengthening rural economies.

Industry leaders say these benefits are often overlooked in public discussions dominated by viral misinformation.

Samir Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director of Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, said India's ethanol journey has been built on years of scientific research and practical experience.

"India's ethanol programme has been built over more than two decades of patient science and steady execution, learning from the way Brazil and the US built theirs," Somaiya said.

He noted that fermentation and distillation fundamentally transform the original feedstock and that every batch undergoes rigorous testing before reaching consumers.

Somaiya also emphasised the broader gains from the programme, including lower crude oil imports, substantial foreign exchange savings and stronger support for farmers.

"What excites me even more than the chemistry is what this programme has done for the country -- crude imports reduced and foreign exchange saved, farmer incomes and their economic prosperity strengthened, and commendable progress towards energy self-sufficiency and, last but not least, in mitigating climate change," he said.

His remarks echo the government's position that the ethanol blending programme is not merely a fuel initiative but part of a wider effort to improve energy security and reduce carbon emissions.

As social media debates continue, both the government and industry stakeholders are urging consumers to rely on scientific evidence rather than viral claims. For policymakers, the message is clear: India's ethanol blending programme remains a cornerstone of the country's clean-energy transition, and officials intend to keep pushing ahead with it despite misinformation campaigns.

Source: NDTV.com

• Read more about No Engine Damage, No Insurance Risk: Centre Debunks Viral Ethanol Myths

Godavari Biorefineries secures Japan patent for host-targeting antiviral molecules

Godavari Biorefineries Ltd on Monday said it has received a patent from the Japan Patent Office for its invention titled “Use of Compounds for Treating Viral Infections”.

According to the official press release, the patent covers the second medical use of the company’s lead compound MSP22 and its derivatives for antiviral applications through inhibition of Vacuolar ATPase (V- ATPase).

The company said the compounds inhibit V-ATPase activity in cells, a mechanism involved in viral infection pathways. The patent names Maithili Athavale, Sandip Gavade, Prashant Kharkar and Sangeeta Srivastava as inventors

Focus on life sciences research

The development is part of the company’s life sciences programme led by Sathgen Therapeutics, its biotechnology arm focused on drug discovery.

Godavari Biorefineries said the compounds target host-cell pathways linked to viral infections and may affect viral entry and replication. The patent in Japan adds to its intellectual property portfolio for antiviral research.

Samir Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, said, “Securing this patent in Japan reflects a natural extension of our ongoing work in drug discovery. As we progressed with our R&D efforts on lead molecules, we identified their potential to inhibit mechanisms such as V-ATPase, which are relevant in antiviral applications".

Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, said, “Research that targets the V-ATPase, which is a cellular enzyme complex exploited by viruses, could open new directions in antiviral therapy"

The company said the research could support the development of therapies targeting multiple viral families by focusing on host-cell mechanisms rather than specific viruses.

Source: Economictimes.com

• Read more about Godavari Biorefineries secures Japan patent for host-targeting antiviral molecules

India's Godavari Biorefineries to start grain-based distillery in June quarter

Mumbai: Indiaa's Godavari Biorefineries plans to commission a 200 kilolitres-perday (KLPD) grain-based distillery in the June quarter, a move aimed at diversifying its feedstock and enabling the use of both sugarcane and corn depending on market prices.

"The new distillery will be integrated with our existing distillery. It will be a fungible facility that can change feedstock," Samir Somaiya, managing director of the company told Reuters.

The company operates a sugar mill in northern Karnataka, a key corn-growing region, he said. Indian sugar mills, long reliant on sugarcane for ethanol, are shifting to grain-based distilleries to run year-round and reduce exposure to swings in cane output.

Mills must pay a state-advised price to cane growers, which squeezes margins in surplus years when abundant supply depresses sugar prices while fixed cane payments remain in place.

There is a need to raise the minimum selling price of sugar to reflect higher cane costs and ensure mills can pay farmers the promised rates for their produce, said Somaiya.

Grain-based distilleries accounted for 69% of ethanol blended with petrol in the last marketing year, with sugarcane feedstock making up the remaining 31%, according to the All India Distillers' Association.

Corn prices are trading nearly a third below the government-set floor price due to a production surplus, making corn-based ethanol more profitable than sugarcanebased output, industry officials said.

Source: Economictimes.com

• Read more about India's Godavari Biorefineries to start grain-based distillery in June quarter

Oil to Soil Economy: Godavari Biorefineries’ vision takes centrestage at APAC Bio Summit

Godavari Biorefineries Ltd.(GBL), one of India’s leading integrated biorefineries, presented its ‘soil to bio-products’ innovation approach at Bio Innovations APAC 2026 in Singapore on March 4–5.

Representing GBL, Dr Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, delivered a keynote address and took part in a fireside chat titled “From the Soil to Valuable Bio-Chemicals and Bio-Products”.

At the core of GBL is its integrated biorefinery model, which converts agricultural feedstocks into a wide range of bio-based products. These span food ingredients and biofuels through to specialty biochemicals used across industries, including skincare,  cosmetics, agrochemicals, adhesives, and coatings.

By connecting agriculture, industrial biotechnology and advanced processing, the company has built scalable pathways that offer real alternatives to fossil-based chemical systems. These threads ran through the keynote address delivered at the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Srivastava said: “Innovation has to start from developing feedstocks to end products, better processes, more energy efficiency, policies, regulations and financing. Looking at the Carbon source from the field where it is generated is very important. We need to move from Oil to Soil economy. However, there is no single solution or technology for reducing emissions in the chemicals sector, and multiple initiatives will be required. So innovation is needed in each aspect of the value chain. Starting from the farm, soil, feedstock, to finished goods and beyond. The focus must remain at the intersection of ecology and economy. ESG is not a peripheral activity; it is integrated into our biomass-based growth model through co-creation with our stakeholders.”

The conference convened stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific industrial biomanufacturing ecosystem and included targeted one-to-one meetings to facilitate collaborations and partnerships.

Source: chinimandi.com

• Read more about Oil to Soil Economy: Godavari Biorefineries’ vision takes centrestage at APAC Bio Summit

Godavari Biorefineries Reports Strong Q3 FY26 Performance with Improved Profitability and Margin Expansion

• Read more about Godavari Biorefineries Reports Strong Q3 FY26 Performance with Improved Profitability and Margin Expansion

Budget 2026 should focus on incentivizing E100-ready infrastructure: GBL Executive Director Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava

The country is awaiting the upcoming Budget, which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present on February 1, 2026. Various sectors and industries are outlining their expectations ahead of the announcement.

The ethanol industry has sought greater focus on incentivizing E100-ready infrastructure and accelerating the mandate for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to absorb the additional ethanol capacity in Budget 2026–27.

Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. (GBL), applauded the achievement of E20 blending ahead of schedule and said, “Having successfully achieved E20 blending ahead of schedule, India now faces a productive surplus that requires urgent demand-side policy innovation. Budget 2026 should focus on incentivizing E100-ready infrastructure and accelerating the mandate for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to absorb this additional ethanol capacity. It will lead to a strategic shift toward ethanol-to-chemicals and high-value bio-based derivatives is essential.”

“This budget must provide the fiscal framework to transition from fuel blending to a global leadership role in the Sustainable Chemical economy,” she further added.

The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has also sought a budgetary outlay of ₹15,000–20,000 crore to support advanced biofuel projects, including second-generation ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), as the sugar industry grapples with surplus production, weak prices, and constraints on ethanol diversion.

The OMCs have allocated around 1,048 crore litres of ethanol against 1,776 crore litres of offers submitted by manufacturers across the country for ESY 2025–26 (Cycle 1). OMCs had invited tenders for the supply of 1,050 crore litres of ethanol for ESY 2025–26.

In the allocation, maize holds the largest share at 45.68 per cent (around 478.9 crore litres), followed by FCI rice at 22.25 per cent (around 233.3 crore litres), sugarcane juice at 15.82 per cent (around 165.9 crore litres), B-heavy molasses at 10.54 per cent (around 110.5 crore litres), damaged food grains at 4.54 per cent (around 47.6 crore litres), and C-heavy molasses at 1.16 per cent (around 12.2 crore litres).

Currently, India’s total ethanol production capacity as of November 2025 is about 1,990 crore litres, and the industry is calling for an increase in ethanol blending beyond 20 per cent, stating that capacities are underutilised.

The budget push comes at a time when the sugar industry is navigating what the industry has described as a challenging phase, despite strong production.

Source:ChiniMandi.com

• Read more about Budget 2026 should focus on incentivizing E100-ready infrastructure: GBL Executive Director Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava

Samir Somaiya becomes first Indian to receive Plinio Nastari Sugar Excellence Award

Samir Shantilal Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director of Godavari Biorefineries Ltd. (GBL), has received the Plinio Nastari Sugar Excellence Award from the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) at the 34th ISO International Seminar in Westminster, London. The award was instituted by ISO, under the theme “Sustainable Solutions for Sugar & Energy”, to recognise outstanding achievement in the world of sugar & bioenergy. He is the first Indian to receive this recognition, marking a key moment for India’s sugar, ethanol and bioenergy sectors on the global stage.

At the ceremony, Mr Somaiya reflected on the link between economic progress and social development, referencing the legacy of his grandfather, who established the Somaiya family’s first school in 1942 to ensure education advanced alongside industry. He highlighted the importance of soil health, agricultural ecosystems and farmer livelihoods in shaping a sustainable future, underscoring that the green transition is essential both for climate goals and for securing incomes for small farmers.

He added, “Today, the green transition is essential to mitigate climate change, and in countries like ours with so many small farmers, it directly strengthens their income security and long-term resilience. I am humbled to receive this award on behalf of my company, my organisation and my country. My grandfather and father taught me that business is an agent of social change — that financial growth must move together with social and environmental progress. I love the world we are in: the smell of the earth in the morning, the sweetness and smiles that sugar brings to our lives. It is our duty to ensure the world we pass on remains sustainable, inclusive and as (if not more) beautiful as we found it.”

Under his leadership, GBL has developed one of India’s most integrated biorefining ecosystems, combining agriculture, green chemistry, renewable energy and rural development. The company works with more than 20,000 farmers across 200+ villages to improve yields, strengthen climate resilience and support regenerative cultivation.

Key recent initiatives and recognitions under his leadership include:

Commissioning a multi-purpose speciality bio-chemical plant in Maharashtra to produce renewable, bio-based ingredients used across coatings, resins, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fragrances.

Strengthening biotechnology through Sathgen Therapeutics, including advanced research on therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers and the establishment of Sathgen Therapeutics LLC in Princeton, USA, for global collaboration.

Launching the CO₂-to-DME pilot plant with ICT Mumbai, a scalable pathway to converting industrial emissions into clean fuel and chemical feedstock.

Mr Somaiya was also awarded the Rasayan Udyog Ratna Award by the Indian Chemical Society for his contributions to sustainable chemistry.

These initiatives reflect a leadership approach rooted in scientific depth, farmer-focused development and alignment with India’s renewable-energy and bioeconomy priorities.

Source:ChiniMandi.com

• Read more about Samir Somaiya becomes first Indian to receive Plinio Nastari Sugar Excellence Award

GBL's breakthrough in climate action-Two months after Business India’s report on GBL-the company launches a pilot DME plant

• Read more about GBL's breakthrough in climate action-Two months after Business India’s report on GBL-the company launches a pilot DME plant