Indian producers investigate Philippines ethanol model during GBEP Bioenergy Week

In the Philippines, the seventh annual Bioenergy Week of the Global Bioenergy Partnership provided an opportunity for the U.S. Grains Council to highlight how the government and private industry in the Philippines cooperate to promote ethanol to a delegation of sugar-based ethanol producers from India.

While in the Philippines, the Indian delegation had side meetings with industry, university and government representatives to discuss the two-tier system and how public-private work has achieved cost-savings and environmental benefits – both important considerations for India.

“If India would implement an E10 blending mandate using domestic and imported ethanol, similar to the Philippines, cost-savings could range between $2.87 to $3.12 billion,” said Amit Sachdev, USGC consultant in India. “A consistent availability of ethanol across the country will not only save money, but also ensure lower particulate matter, improving air quality.”

Access to the fuel sector would also benefit global ethanol exporters. The country is already the third largest market for U.S. ethanol, despite only importing ethanol for industrial uses. India has imported 163.3 million gallons (57.9 million bushels in corn equivalent) of U.S. ethanol in 2018/2019, a 32 percent increase that continues an upward trend over the last five marketing years.