Insights from the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE ) Delegation’s Visit to Brazil reveal pathways for India’s collaborative green energy future
As the global energy landscape rapidly shifts towards sustainability, nations must collaborate to scale clean energy transitions. Recognising this imperative, the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE), with support from UNICA and the esteemed presence of Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, undertook a landmark visit to Brazil — an acknowledged global leader in biofuels. This high-level delegation was aimed at exploring joint opportunities in bioenergy, ethanol, flex-fuel mobility, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and circular bioeconomy practices.
Learning from Brazil’s Bioenergy Leadership
Brazil has successfully demonstrated how coordinated policy, robust R&D, and private sector innovation can together drive a thriving ethanol economy. During our visit, we witnessed firsthand the country’s long-standing experience in bioenergy deployment, from high-yield sugarcane varieties to large-scale adoption of Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).
The delegation’s journey began with a visit to CTC — Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira, Piracicaba. CTC’s pioneering work in sugarcane biotechnology, including genetically modified varieties and seed-based propagation systems, is a model of innovation. Their efforts in carbon sequestration, circular economy practices (such as converting by-products into biogas and biofertiliser), and process optimisation offer valuable takeaways for India. Their technological platforms have the potential to raise India’s sugar recovery levels significantly and strengthen our ethanol production ecosystem.
Towards Cleaner Mobility: Toyota’s Flex-Fuel & HEV Models
The visit to Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Sorocaba showcased Brazil’s remarkable achievement in FFV deployment, with over 90 per cent of vehicles capable of running on ethanol blends. The hybrid electric flex-fuel (HEV-FFV) platform emerged as a promising transitional solution for India, offering both emission reduction and energy diversification. Our discussions focused on how such technologies can be adapted to Bharat Stage VI norms and deployed across Indian urban fleets.
Brazil’s public policies — such as ROTA 2030 and INOVAR AUTO — along with tax incentives, have played a pivotal role in the success of FFVs. A detailed policy dossier was requested from Toyota to study fuel pricing mechanisms, flex-fuel specifications, and the enabling regulatory architecture that supports Brazil’s ethanol economy.
Bioenergy Roundtable: A Platform for Collaboration
The India–Brazil Bioenergy Roundtable held at UNICA in São Paulo served as a powerful forum to deepen bilateral engagement. Hon’ble Minister Shri Gadkari underscored India’s growing ethanol ambitions, including the target of 20 per cent blending and the expansion of flex-fuel vehicles. He also highlighted the benefits India has already witnessed — over `1 lakh crore saved in crude oil imports and a 55 MMT reduction in CO2 emissions since ethanol blending was scaled up. The discussions ranged from SAF pathways and carbon trading mechanisms to collaborative R&D, supply chain alignment, and export readiness. Brazil’s RenovaBio program, a market-based carbon intensity scheme, stood out as a potential model for India to emulate.
Spotlight on Sustainable Aviation Fuels & Maritime Use
Brazil is emerging as a serious player in SAF production, particularly via the Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) pathway using sugarcane ethanol. Presentations by companies such as Raízen and FS illustrated how Brazil is leveraging its ethanol infrastructure to support aviation and even maritime decarbonisation —ethanol has already been tested successfully in dual-fuel ship engines.
Given India’s robust capabilities in 2G ethanol and CBG, there lies a huge opportunity for cross-investment and technology exchange in SAF. Praj Industries’ Panipat 2G biorefinery, developed with IOCL, stands as a benchmark for what is possible when public-private collaboration is backed by innovation and vision.
Sustainability and Global Leadership
During our interactions, I shared India’s progress across various fronts — from the use of agricultural residues for 2G ethanol to bamboo-based white coal initiatives for thermal plants. Technologies developed indigenously for CBG production from waste materials such as filter cake, vinasse, and crop residues were also discussed with Brazilian stakeholders. India and Brazil are natural partners in this journey toward a low-carbon future. Both countries have complementary strengths — Brazil in scale and deployment, and India in technology innovation and adaptability. It is time we move from learning and dialogues to structured joint pilots, harmonised policy roadmaps, and co-investment platforms.
The Road Ahead
As Head of the IFGE Delegation, I believe this visit marks a pivotal step in building a transcontinental alliance for bioenergy leadership. The shared vision of India and Brazil — driven by political will, industry innovation, and sustainable technology — can shape the future of global bioenergy transitions. Our journey has reaffirmed that bioenergy is not just an alternative — it is a catalyst for rural prosperity, energy security, and climate action.
(Vaibhav Dange is Founder Director, IFGE)