GEMA requests Modi Govt to take ethanol blending beyond 20%

The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) has urged the Central government to take the next step in India’s biofuel journey by increasing ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20 per cent level.

GEMA President CK Jain has stated that the current scenario presents a strong opportunity for India to push ethanol blending past E20. GEMA says that higher blending levels would enhance the country’s long-term energy security, boost demand for domestically produced agricultural feedstocks such as maize and grains, and contribute to more stable petrol pricing in the years ahead.

GEMA mentions that every incremental rise in ethanol blending helps reduce dependence on crude oil imports, supports farmer incomes, and shields the Indian economy from global fuel price volatility. The association highlighted that India’s ethanol blending programme has already proven to be an effective policy tool in cutting import dependence, conserving foreign exchange, and strengthening domestic energy resilience.

The success of the E20 programme, the industry body said, underscores ethanol’s role not just as an environmentally friendly fuel but also as a strategic economic asset. GEMA further praised the government’s excise duty rationalisation, stating that it will help protect consumers from sudden price spikes.

GEMA has also welcomed the Centre’s recent move to rationalise excise duties on petrol and other petroleum products, calling it a timely measure to stabilise fuel prices.

Amid rising global geopolitical tensions and fluctuating crude oil markets, the association said India’s proactive policy measures have helped insulate domestic fuel prices and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to economic stability and public welfare.

Last year, grain-based ethanol producers, represented by GEMA, had echoed concerns noting that ethanol plants using rice and maize are running at just 50% capacity.

To give a new fillip to the ethanol & biofuels production in India, GEMA had recently launched the “Makka Ugao” awareness campaign throughout the country to bolster maize cultivation in India.