Exploring Compressed Biomass Fuel and Price Trends in the Indian Market
India’s renewable energy ecosystem has been transforming quickly, with biomass proving to be a key player to sustainable industrial operations. Among its many types, biomass briquettes have become an ever-growing option for coal and other fossil fuels due to their affordability, sustainable nature, and eco-friendly attributes. The growing market for briquette coal and bio-based fuels demonstrates India’s move toward energy independence and carbon reduction.
As industries adopt cleaner fuels, evaluating the briquettes price per kg plays a major role for decision-making. Prices vary based on feedstock availability, production technology, regional demand, and transportation costs — all of which impact the competitiveness of biomass-based energy against conventional fuels.
How Biomass Fits into India’s Energy Landscape
India yields 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 transformed into bio mass briquettes that be used as sustainable energy sources. Biomass accounts for a significant portion of India’s renewable energy generation, contributing to rural development, employment, and waste reduction.
The government’s ongoing initiatives under the National Bioenergy Programme seek to encourage 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 owing to their higher calorific value and lower ash content.
Prices can change regionally — areas with abundant feedstock like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab often benefit from lower production costs relative to regions with limited agricultural residues. Additionally, transport and handling expenses can raise prices by ?1–?2 per kg when briquettes are shipped over long distances.
Briquette Coal Compared with Regular Coal
Briquette coal is a sustainable alternative to conventional coal. While coal offers higher energy density, it causes significant air pollution and carbon emissions. In contrast, biomass briquettes are carbon-neutral — the CO? emitted during combustion is offset by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the biomass.
Moreover, briquettes burn more efficiently, leave less waste, and avoid harmful sulphur outputs found in fossil-based fuels. For industries working toward environmental compliance standards, switching to briquettes provides dual cost and sustainability gains.
Financial Advantages of Biomass Briquettes
The financial viability of using biomass briquettes goes beyond just fuel costs. Industries see improvements in:
1. Lower operational costs: Biomass briquettes can cut down boiler fuel expenses by up to 25–30% compared to coal.
2. Reduced maintenance: Minimal ash generation ensures 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 commonly adopted choice among Indian manufacturers.
Key Issues Facing Biomass Briquette Adoption
Despite the clear advantages, widespread adoption of bio mass briquettes experiences certain challenges:
- briquette coal Seasonal feedstock availability: Agricultural residues fluctuate with crop cycles, affecting year-round production stability.
- Logistics and storage: Briquettes need clean and dry storage to maintain calorific value and prevent degradation.
- Awareness and technology gap: Many small-scale industries still lack knowledge about efficient biomass combustion systems.
Addressing these challenges through improved 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 acts as a resource for another. Farmers obtain added bio mass briquettes revenue from selling crop residues, while industries obtain a renewable, affordable energy source.
Outlook for Biomass Briquettes in India
The market outlook for biomass fuels stays strong, 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 and technology improves.
Furthermore, the integration of digital trading platforms for biomass procurement is enhancing transparency and accessibility, helping buyers and sellers set fair pricing models. As India’s energy transition moves forward, biomass briquettes are set to play an essential role in balancing sustainability, affordability, and reliability.
Summary
The growth of biomass in India represents a crucial step toward a greener energy future. Briquette coal and bio mass briquettes strengthen 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 ready to flourish. As awareness spreads and technology advances, biomass-based energy is expected to energise sustainable industrial growth while aiding in environmental preservation.