Industry body and Honda meet to discuss ethanol production; GEMA pushes for flex-fuel vehicles
The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) met with Honda on December 4, 2024, at the India International Centre to discuss ethanol production and flex-fuel vehicle development in India. GEMA highlighted ethanol’s role in boosting farmer incomes and rural employment, emphasizing maize’s growing importance. Both parties stressed the need for industry collaboration to promote flex-fuel vehicles and ensure India’s sustainable energy future.
A meeting was held between the Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) and Honda delegates at the India International Centre on December 4, 2024, to discuss the current status and future potential of ethanol production in India. The discussion focused on agriculture, ethanol production, and the critical role of flex-fuel vehicles in the country’s sustainable future.
Representatives from GEMA and Honda came together to share insights, challenges, and collaborative opportunities.
One of the key topics of the meeting was the current state of ethanol production in India and its potential for growth. GEMA representatives assured Honda that while the infrastructure for ethanol production is in place, there are short-term challenges related to the availability of feedstock. However, they expressed confidence that these issues would be resolved in the near future.
Dr. C. K. Jain, President of GEMA, emphasized the broader vision of the ethanol programme, including its benefits for the environment, rural development, and farmer incomes. He noted that grain-based ethanol plants have been established in rural areas across India, creating local employment and increasing farmer incomes through higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops.
Ethanol production from grain-based plants has grown significantly and now accounts for 60-65% of the total ethanol supply to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). GEMA highlighted that maize, in particular, has become a key crop for ethanol production in India due to its high yield and efficiency.
The GEMA delegates urged Honda to collaborate with the Government of India (GOI), industry associations, distillery members, and the Department of Food Processing Industries (DFPI) to promote flex-fuel vehicles in India. They pointed out that the availability of ethanol should not be a barrier; rather, the focus should be on encouraging the automotive industry to play a larger role in introducing and supporting flex-fuel vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on ethanol, are seen as a key element in India’s transition to sustainable energy use and reducing its reliance on foreign oil.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both GEMA and Honda acknowledging the potential for growth in India’s ethanol production and the importance of cross-industry collaboration to meet the country’s long-term environmental and energy goals.
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Source : Chinimandi
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