Ethanol Production in India: A Growing Industry

Ethanol production, or ethyl alcohol, is one of the oldest biotechnological processes. In recent years, the fuel ethanol industry has experienced significant growth due to government policies and global efforts to replace petroleum with renewable fuels. Many countries now use ethanol-blended fuels to eliminate toxic octane-boosting additives, enhance carbon recycling, lower harmful emissions, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Currently, using well-established methods, most ethanol is produced using first-generation technologies, which rely on crops like starch-rich grains and sugars from sources such as sugarcane and sugar beets. Second-generation ethanol, derived from plant biomass and non-food feedstocks, has also started to be commercially produced. As fuel ethanol production advances as a renewable energy source, technological innovations and a wider variety of feedstocks will be essential to meet growing energy demands.