IBT recently interacted with Mr. Atul Mulay, President and Global SBU Head – Bio Energy at Praj Industries Limited, Pune. A Fulbright Scholar and seasoned leader, Mr. Mulay has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s biofuel ecosystem, including his contributions to the National Biofuel Policy 2018. He also serves as Chairperson of the National Bio-Energy Committee of the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), alongside leadership roles at CII and IFGE. In this conversation, he shares his vision for bioenergy’s role in strengthening India’s energy sovereignty, the opportunities presented by emerging technologies like 2G ethanol, CBG, and SAF, and the policy and financing measures needed to scale the sector sustainably. He also reflects on India’s global positioning through the Biofuels Alliance and the inspiring pace at which the sector has evolved.
IBT: The bioenergy sector in India has come a long way. What do you find most inspiring about its evolution so far?
Atul Mulay: What inspires me most is the speed of transformation. Ethanol blending, once just an aspiration, has become a reality ahead of schedule. CBG plants are emerging across the country, and bioenergy has shifted from being seen as an alternative to being recognized as a mainstream contributor to India’s energy mix. Equally important, it has begun to impact the lives of farmers, rural communities, and industries, demonstrating that energy security can be achieved in tandem with “inclusive growth”.
IBT: Looking ahead, what is your vision for how bioenergy in India can transform the energy landscape over the next decade?
Atul Mulay: Over the next decade, I see bioenergy shaping India’s future in three defining ways. First, by strengthening our energy sovereignty—cutting crude oil imports and shielding the country from global price volatility. Second, by revitalizing rural economies, creating value-added markets for agri-residues and processing waste, and unlocking new income streams for farmers. And third, by positioning India as a global hub for bioenergy innovation and ecosystem development, setting a benchmark for the world.
Bioenergy will not only complement solar, wind, and other renewables, but also serve as a cornerstone in anchoring India’s journey towards net zero.
IBT: With India championing the Global Biofuels Alliance, how do you see the country positioning itself as a global hub for bio-energy innovation and trade?
Atul Mulay: India has unique advantages — a significant agricultural base, proven industrial capacity, and strong government commitment. Through the Global Biofuels Alliance, while fulfilling India’s requirement of bioenergy, we will have the potential to export not just fuels but also low CI fuels, innovations, technologies, supply chain models, and policy frameworks to build a role model global ecosystem. This positions India as a hub for both innovation and trade, while deepening our diplomatic and economic engagement with both developed and emerging economies worldwide.
IBT: Which policy measures do you believe could most effectively accelerate the adoption of bio-energy solutions across industries?
Atul Mulay: I believe four policy levers can most effectively accelerate the adoption of bioenergy solutions across industries. First, a unified National Bio-Energy Policy with clear long-term targets that synchronizes the vision of both central and state governments. Second, stronger carbon credit mechanisms and climate finance frameworks that make bioenergy projects truly bankable. Third, mandatory adoption in hard-to-abate sectors—such as co-firing biomass in thermal power plants and introducing Sustainable Aviation Fuel as a drop-in option, along with higher blending mandates for conventional fuels. And finally, aligning policies with the automobile sector to ensure faster adoption by end consumers.
Taken together, these measures would give the sector the predictability and confidence it needs to scale sustainably.
IBT: How can bioenergy best complement solar, wind, and hydro in helping India achieve its net-zero goals?
Atul Mulay: Solar, wind, and hydro are excellent sources of clean power, but they are intermittent. Bioenergy, by contrast, is storable and dispatchable. That makes it the perfect complement — providing firm, round-the-clock renewable energy. Beyond power, bioenergy also decarbonizes hard-to-abate sectors, such as aviation, shipping, and heavy industries, where solar or wind may not be a direct substitute for fossil fuels.
IBT: Among emerging technologies like 2G ethanol, biogas, bio-CNG, and SAF, which do you see offering the most tremendous near-term potential for India?
Atul Mulay: Each of these technologies—2G ethanol, compressed biogas (CBG), and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)—will play a pivotal role in India’s energy transition.
2G ethanol strengthens sustainability by converting agricultural residues into clean, low-carbon fuel.
CBG taps into both urban and rural waste streams, creating powerful circular economy solutions.
SAF is critical to decarbonizing aviation and positioning India as a competitive global supplier.
Rather than one technology dominating, they offer complementary pathways for mobility and energy security. The real determinant of scale will be ecosystem readiness, supportive policy frameworks, and the bankability of projects.
IBT: What strategies can ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of biomass/feedstock without compromising food security?
Atul Mulay: The key lies in strengthening India’s supply chain and distribution framework. Three priorities stand out: building a timely biomass harvesting and aggregation ecosystem with fair and transparent pricing for farmers; promoting energy crops such as sweet sorghum, bamboo, and grasses on marginal lands; and developing efficient collection, densification, and logistics systems to lower costs.
In the near term, India already has sufficient surplus and damaged grain to support ethanol production. At the same time, agricultural research institutes are advancing productivity gains, intercropping models, and AI-based solutions to expand feedstock availability. Key focus areas include sugarcane, corn, broken rice, and innovative intercropping practices such as sugarcane–corn and tapioca–corn across diverse regional terrains.
Institutions such as the Indian Maize Research Institute, the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), and other leading research centers are driving this work. Their efforts are expected to yield visible results within the next 2–5 years, further strengthening India’s long-term bioenergy feedstock base.
IBT: How can financing models and community engagement help scale bio-energy projects, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas?
Atul Mulay: Innovative financing models, such as priority lending status, Viability Gap Funding, and climate finance, are vital to attracting investors. On the ground, community engagement is equally essential — training farmers, creating Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), and involving local entrepreneurs ensures projects are socially embedded and sustainable. The sector’s strength lies in combining economics with community participation.
IBT: As Chairman of TPCI’s National Committee on Bio-Energy, what key priorities and outcomes do you hope this forum will deliver in its first phase?
Atul Mulay: Our immediate priority is to align with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by collaborating not only within the Committee but also with similar bio-energy stakeholders and associations, both domestic and global, to expedite complementary goals. Alongside this, bio-energy application development will be a key focus — particularly by involving stakeholders from mobility and static applications.
To operationalize this, we will build a structured framework through sub-groups on Feedstock, Products, and Applications (the FPA approach). These groups will deep-dive into practical issues, consolidate inputs, and propose actionable solutions. We also intend to present a clear roadmap to the government covering policy, finance, feedstock, and technology adoption.
In our first phase, success will mean having a unified industry voice, a stronger pipeline of projects, and a credible action plan that translates bio-energy ambition into scaled impact.
Read more:
“Carbon pricing will redefine India’s biofuel economics by 2030”
Fueling India’s future: Prakash Naiknavare on the next big biofuel leap
Mr. Atul Mulay is the President and Global SBU Head – Bio Energy at Praj Industries Limited, Pune, where he has been associated since the company’s inception. A Mechanical and Production Engineer with a post-graduation in Marketing Management, he is also a Fulbright Scholar, having completed Global Leadership Management at Carnegie Mellon University, USA.
He currently serves as Chairperson of the National Bio-Energy Committee of the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), Chairperson of the Advanced Biofuel Sub-Committee at CII, and Founder Member & Chairman of the Bio-Economy Committee at the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE). He has also been part of government advisory bodies, including the Biofuel Working Group of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Biofuel Advisory Committee of Maharashtra State, and continues to contribute to academia through committees at MIT ADT University and MIT Engineering College, Pune.
Mr. Mulay has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s biofuel ecosystem, including contributing to the National Biofuel Policy 2018, and has represented India at numerous national and international platforms. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers’ award for his contribution to India’s energy sector.
FAQs
1. What are the advantages of 2G ethanol, CBG, and SAF in India?
They complement each other: 2G ethanol turns agri-waste into fuel, CBG uses waste streams for clean energy, and SAF helps decarbonize aviation.
2. How can India ensure steady biomass and feedstock supply without hurting food security?
By using marginal lands for energy crops, intercropping, better logistics, and support from agri-research institutes.
3. What policy measures are needed to scale bioenergy in India?
A national bioenergy policy, stronger carbon finance, mandatory adoption in key sectors, and alignment with auto fuel policies.
4. In what ways can bioenergy complement solar, wind, and hydro for India’s net-zero goal?
It provides storable, round-the-clock power and decarbonizes hard-to-abate sectors like aviation and industry.
5. What challenges does India face in adopting bioenergy rapidly?
Key hurdles are supply chain gaps, high costs, weak mandates, and financing delays — solvable through policy and PPP models.
