Understanding Biofuel Briquettes and Cost Trends across India
The renewable power scene in India is progressing fast, with biomass standing out as a major element in eco-friendly industrial functioning. Among its multiple variants, biomass briquettes are becoming an highly favoured alternative for coal and other fossil fuels thanks to their affordability, sustainable nature, and environmental benefits. The booming market for briquette coal and bio-based fuels reflects India’s focus on energy independence and carbon reduction.
As industries transition to cleaner fuels, evaluating the briquettes price per kg becomes vital for decision-making. Prices vary depending on feedstock availability, production technology, regional demand, and transportation costs — all of which affect the competitiveness of biomass-based energy when compared with conventional fuels.
How Biomass Fits into India’s Energy Landscape
India creates millions of tonnes of agricultural residues every year, including rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, sawdust, and cotton stalks. Instead of letting these residues go to waste, they are now processed into bio mass briquettes that function as sustainable energy sources. Biomass makes up a significant portion of India’s renewable energy generation, enhancing rural development, employment, and waste reduction.
The government’s ongoing initiatives under the National Bioenergy Programme further aim to promote biofuel and briquette usage across industrial sectors, from manufacturing and textiles to cement and power plants.
Briquette Pricing Overview
The briquettes price per kg in India typically varies from ?6 and ?10, determined by factors such as material composition, production scale, and moisture content. For instance, briquettes made from hardwood sawdust generally are priced higher than those produced from agricultural residues as a result of their higher calorific value and lower ash content.
Prices can fluctuate regionally — areas with abundant feedstock like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab often have lower production costs relative to regions with limited agricultural residues. Additionally, transport and handling expenses can increase cost by ?1–?2 per kg when briquettes are shipped over long distances.
Briquette Coal vs Traditional Coal
Briquette coal acts as a sustainable alternative to conventional coal. While coal provides higher energy density, it contributes heavily to air pollution and carbon emissions. In contrast, biomass briquettes are carbon-neutral — the CO? emitted during combustion is equalised by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the biomass.
Moreover, briquettes burn cleaner, generate low ash, and remove sulphur pollutants found in fossil-based fuels. For industries seeking to achieve environmental compliance standards, switching to briquettes provides dual cost and sustainability gains.
Cost Benefits of Using Biomass Briquettes
The financial viability of using biomass briquettes extends beyond fuel costs. Industries see improvements in:
1. Lower operational costs: Biomass briquettes can reduce boiler fuel expenses by up to 25–30% in contrast with coal.
2. Reduced maintenance: Minimal ash generation provides lower cleaning and maintenance costs for equipment.
3. Government incentives: Policies promoting renewable energy provide subsidies and carbon credits for using biomass-based fuels.
4. Stable supply chain: As agricultural waste is locally available, industries deal with minimal interruptions compared to imported coal or oil.
The long-term savings and environmental gains render biomass briquettes an widely chosen choice among Indian bio mass briquettes manufacturers.
Key Issues Facing Biomass Briquette Adoption
Despite the well-known advantages, widespread adoption of bio mass briquettes faces certain challenges:
- Seasonal feedstock availability: Agricultural residues change with crop cycles, affecting year-round production stability.
- Logistics and storage: Briquettes need dry, ventilated storage to maintain calorific value and prevent degradation.
- Awareness and technology gap: Many small-scale industries still are unaware of knowledge about efficient biomass combustion systems.
Addressing these challenges through enhanced supply chain management and advanced briquetting technology could boost the industry further.
Sustainability and Ecological Impact
Using biomass in India greatly aids in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Every tonne of briquettes used in place of coal prevents approximately 1.6 tonnes of CO? emissions. Additionally, it reduces stubble burning — a major environmental concern in northern India — by providing an productive outlet for agricultural waste.
Sustainability is also enhanced by the circular economy approach, where waste from one industry is turned into a resource for another. Farmers secure supplementary income from selling crop residues, while industries secure a renewable, affordable energy source.
Future Prospects of Biomass Energy
The market outlook for biomass fuels looks promising, driven by heightened industrial awareness, stricter emission regulations, and the nation’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. With rising fossil fuel costs and government support for renewable energy, the briquettes price per kg should normalise as production scales up briquette coal and technology improves.
Furthermore, the integration of digital trading platforms for biomass procurement is boosting transparency and accessibility, helping buyers and sellers agree on fair pricing models. As India’s energy transition moves forward, biomass briquettes will play an essential role in balancing sustainability, affordability, and reliability.
Final Thoughts
The growth of biomass in India signifies a crucial step toward a greener energy future. Briquette coal and bio mass briquettes help enhance industrial efficiency but also minimise dependence on polluting fossil fuels. With competitive briquettes price per kg, government policy support, and expanding market infrastructure, India’s biomass sector is set to thrive. As awareness spreads and technology advances, biomass-based energy shall drive sustainable industrial growth while supporting environmental preservation.