Biomass and Briquette Market in India: Analysing Price Trends and the Growing Shift Toward Biofuel Alternatives
India’s green energy sector is undergoing swift transformation, with biomass emerging as a key contributor in the nation’s eco-friendly power strategy. The rising adoption of bio mass briquettes and other forms of eco energy has created a vibrant marketplace for producers and industrial buyers. In recent years, the briquettes price per kg has become a significant factor affecting fuel procurement decisions, especially as industries look for low-cost, environment-friendly options to coal and other fossil fuels.
The rising awareness of clean fuel usage has driven the demand for compressed biomass briquettes—a sustainable solid fuel derived from agricultural waste, sawdust, and other organic residues. As India continues to pursue its renewable energy targets, biomass-based fuels are playing a important role in lowering pollution levels and promoting decentralised energy generation, particularly for rural production sectors.
What Biomass Means and How It Supports India’s Energy Goals
Biomass potential in India includes numerous organic sources available from farmlands, forests, and biodegradable waste. With over half a billion tonnes of crop waste produced each year, the country holds immense potential for biomass utilisation in power generation and thermal energy. This resource can be converted into different usable fuels such as solid, liquid, and gaseous biofuels, thereby providing clean substitutes for conventional fossil fuels.
Industries needing consistent thermal output benefit greatly from biomass fuel—such as cement, textile, and food processing units. These sectors have increasingly turned to bio-coal briquettes as a clean-burning, cost-efficient replacement for traditional fuels. In addition to minimising pollution, the widespread use of biomass creates rural job opportunities and utilises waste effectively that would otherwise go to waste.
How Briquette Coal Is Made and Its Composition
Biomass briquette fuel is created by compacting dry biomass such as agricultural and forestry waste into solid cylindrical or rectangular blocks. The process improves heat efficiency through drying, making it suitable for large-scale industrial applications. These briquettes are consistent in shape, portable, and produce very little ash, ensuring a more efficient and cleaner burn.
Depending on the source material, briquette coal can be classified as biomass, biocoal, or hybrid briquettes. While standard briquettes rely fully on organic matter, bio coal briquettes often contain a small portion of charcoal to enhance calorific value. Their heating value typically ranges from about 3500–5000 kcal per kilogram, depending on the organic mix and manufacturing process.
Analysing Briquettes Price per Kg in India
The briquettes price per kg in India is influenced by several key factors, including feedstock supply, logistics, and market trends. In key biomass-producing regions such as Punjab and Maharashtra, the easy access to agro-waste keeps prices competitive. In contrast, cities and industrial belts where raw materials need to be brought from distant rural areas tend to experience increased costs.
On average, the price of biomass briquettes ranges between ?6 and ?10 per kilogram, depending on calorific value and production efficiency. During peak agricultural bio mass briquettes seasons, when supply is abundant, prices tend to be more affordable. However, in off-seasons or when transport challenges arise, prices may increase because of shortages and logistical delays. Despite these variations, briquettes remain an economical alternative to coal, which can cost significantly more per unit of heat energy produced.
Comparing Biomass Briquettes and Traditional Coal
The shift from coal to biomass briquettes offers multiple advantages in terms of environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. Briquettes generate minimal smoke and ash, which helps industries meet environmental regulations. Their uniform size ensures consistent combustion, reducing machine wear and boosting performance. Moreover, briquettes are renewable and carbon-neutral, as the carbon dioxide released during combustion is balanced naturally through vegetation cycles.
In contrast, traditional coal contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term air quality decline. Its mining and logistics are also destructive to land and wildlife. By replacing even a portion of industrial coal consumption with biomass briquettes, India can move closer to net-zero goals while promoting localised fuel production.
Government Support and Biomass Sector Expansion in India
Government initiatives have significantly contributed in expanding the biomass sector. Policies promoting clean fuel adoption and emission reduction have stimulated wider use of green fuels. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has supported the development of bioenergy projects and briquette industries through grants and funding initiatives.
Additionally, green energy credits and policy mandates have provided financial incentives for companies using biomass fuels. With the government’s focus on achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, biomass energy is positioned as a key component of India’s sustainable energy roadmap. The creation of online biofuel exchanges and transparent trade systems has further improved efficiency and reach, enabling smoother trade operations.
Obstacles Affecting India’s Biomass Briquette Sector
Despite its strong potential, the biomass briquette sector faces several barriers. Fluctuating feedstock availability can lead to unstable output rates. The absence of uniform product standards also reduces buyer confidence. In some regions, logistical bottlenecks and transportation costs increase the final price for end-users, making coal a more attractive in the short term.
Furthermore, low awareness among industrial users remains a key challenge for expansion. Addressing these issues through enhanced production systems and policy support could help build resilience in the coming years.
Advantages of Using Biomass Briquettes
The adoption of bio mass briquettes provides both commercial and green advantages. For industries, using briquettes minimises expenses and regulatory risks. On a national scale, it supports local economies by creating demand for agricultural residues and offering new income streams for farmers. Environmentally, briquettes help combat climate change and improve air quality.
As the market expands and develops, innovations in processing efficiency and drying techniques are expected to make production cheaper and faster. The establishment of small-scale plants close to farms can further reduce transportation costs and ensure year-round availability.
Summary
India’s biomass sector represents a critical opportunity for balancing sustainability with inclusive progress. The increasing demand for briquette coal and bio mass briquettes reflects a shift toward renewable energy alternatives. Although the briquettes price per kg may vary across regions and seasons, the overall gains exceed occasional cost changes. With continued investment, policy support, and innovation, India is on track to make biomass a cornerstone of its green energy future.