In a recent interview, Vijay Nirani, the Founder and Managing Director of TruAlt Bioenergy, articulated his visionary outlook on the profound implications for both ecology and economy that TruAlt Bioenergy’s initiatives carry. Leading the charge in the sector, TruAlt Bioenergy has spearheaded the industry with products such as 1G Bioethanol and Compressed Biogas, with plans to expand into Sustainable Aviation Fuel, 2G Ethanol, and a spectrum of other biofuels in the near term
In what ways is TruAlt Bioenergy making significant progress in the green energy sector?
TruAlt Bioenergy is one of the nation’s first dedicated biofuel company. We were established against the backdrop of the National Biofuels Policy, which aims to significantly reduce India’s dependency on crude imports, create circular economies and empower rural and agrarian India. We are glad to be one of the country’s fastest growing Biofuels and Bioenergy companies with a focus on making India self-reliant, an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. TruAlt Bioenergy epitomizes a distinctive illustration of a company steadfastly pursuing its objectives through a harmonious amalgamation of various policies laid out by the Government of India in its transition towards green energy.
What is your current biofuel production and any expansion plans?
Under the umbrella of TruAlt Bioenergy, we currently operate five units dedicated to producing 1G Bioethanol. These units boast installed capacities of 1.4 million liters per day, and within the next two months, we are poised to elevate our cumulative production to 2 million liters per day. Our subsidiary, Leafiniti Bioenergy, specializes in the production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) and Fermented Organic Manure (FOM). Presently, our CBG production stands at 10,200 kilograms per day, while FOM production reaches 40,000 kilograms per day.
In an exciting development, we have recently inked a Term Sheet with GAIL to establish 10 CBG plants across the country. This strategic collaboration propels us toward our vision of producing approximately 33 million kilograms of CBG annually.
Notably, our 1G Bioethanol production capacities will account for around 6-7% of the nation’s total production by 2025.
As a proponent of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), what are the company’s goals concerning its production? Furthermore, what policy adjustments do you believe are necessary to encourage sugar mills to increase SAF production?
Alcohol to Jet (ATJ) or ethanol to SAF are the most promising options to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Recently, the government has announced a mandate of 1% of SAF by 2027 to be blended into Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), requiring an estimated 14 to 16 crore liters of SAF. Currently, critical aspects such as offtake strategies, structural frameworks, and consumer incentives for adopting SAF-blended fuel remain absent. There is a pressing need for the government to engage in extensive deliberations to craft a robust policy framework that facilitates increased ethanol production and its subsequent utilization in SAF production. Collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and policymakers are essential to establish a conducive environment for scaling up ethanol production and meeting the SAF blending targets effectively.
What is the company’s vision for the future? Could you elaborate on expansion strategies and potential ventures into new business sectors?
We envision TruAlt Bioenergy to become one of the leading global companies in the Biofuels and Bioenergy sector, significantly contributing to Net Zero targets worldwide. With our current footprint in 1G Bioethanol, Compressed Biogas and Fermented Organic Manure, we aim to significantly increase our production capacities in these 3 verticals, while also venturing into the verticals of 2G Bioethanol, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Biofuel dispensing stations and maybe some specialty chemicals as well, leading to a biofuel-based economy.