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India’s Biomass Briquettes – Market Analysis, Prices, and Growth Forecast

The Indian renewable energy landscape is seeing remarkable evolution, and biomass briquettes are playing a central role of this change. Derived from crop residues like rice husk, sawdust, bagasse, and peanut shells, these environmentally sustainable fuels serve as a renewable and economical substitute for conventional coal. Rising focus on renewable solutions, combined with policy support for renewable adoption, has positioned India’s biomass sector as a crucial solution for industries seeking to lower both carbon emissions and operational fuel costs.

What Are Biomass Briquettes and Briquette Coal?

Biomass briquettes are densified biofuels made by compressing organic waste materials. Unlike conventional coal, they lack harmful additives or emit dense smoke, making them ideal for use in boilers, furnaces, and power plants. These briquettes come in different forms such as block or log form, depending on the briquetting machine.

The briquetting process enhances the heating capacity of agricultural residues, providing efficient combustion and energy yield. This makes biomass briquettes a long-term alternative for industries in manufacturing and process industries transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Market Rates of Biomass Briquettes per kg

The briquettes price per kg in India fluctuates depending on availability of raw material, regional market conditions, and seasonal demand. Industry estimates indicate that prices generally hover between ?6 and ?10 per kg for standard biomass briquettes. Premium varieties featuring superior combustion efficiency or specialised compositions may command prices of ?12–?14 per kg.

Prices often go up during lean crop periods when raw material supply is limited. Similarly, industrial demand surges in manufacturing hubs like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu can push rates upward. Conversely, during harvest seasons when residues like bagasse and rice husk are abundant, prices may flatten or reduce slightly.

Regional Insights into India’s Biomass Market

The demand for bio fuel briquettes differs by region, largely depending on industrial presence and raw material availability.
- Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat): An industrial powerhouse, this region leads in biomass utilisation due briquettes price per kg to proximity to sugarcane and cotton-growing belts supplying bagasse and cotton stalks.
- Northern India (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh): Rich in agricultural output, it offers abundant paddy husk and wheat straw, fuelling high-volume briquette production and biomass energy projects.
- Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh): Textile mills, food processing units, and small power plants are increasingly adopting biomass for cost-effective energy generation.
- Eastern India (Odisha, West Bengal): A developing biomass market where industries are gradually adopting biomass to replace imported coal.

Factors Affecting Briquette Coal Pricing

Multiple factors influence biomass briquette pricing across the country:
1. Raw Material Type and Quality: Inputs with higher calorific value such as hardwood sawdust and bagasse increase production costs but improve efficiency.
2. Moisture Content: Lower moisture improves combustion and fuel performance, affecting the overall price.
3. Transportation and Logistics: Due to the bulkiness of briquettes, shipping plays a major cost role, particularly over long distances.
4. Seasonal Demand: Colder months see higher industrial fuel usage, often resulting in temporary price hikes.
5. Government Policies: Supportive schemes and incentives for renewable energy can help balance market pricing and encourage production expansion.

Key Industrial Sectors Using Biomass Briquettes

Across India, biomass fuel briquettes are increasingly replacing conventional fuels. Major applications include:
- **Boilers and Steam Generation:** Used in industrial boilers and processing units for their uniform heating and low ash output.
- **Power Plants:** Biomass-based units often use mixed fuel models to cut emissions and meet renewable quotas.
- **Brick Kilns and Metal Furnaces:** High calorific value makes briquettes suitable for industrial heating operations.
- **Rural Energy Use:** Promoted in rural cooking and heating, reducing firewood dependency.

Environmental and Economic Advantages

Switching to bio fuel briquettes offers numerous benefits:
- **Reduced Carbon Emissions:** Produces much less CO?, SO?, and NOx than coal.
- **Efficient Waste Utilisation:** Converts organic by-products that would otherwise be burned into valuable fuel.
- **Employment Generation:** Encourages local entrepreneurship in collection, processing, and transport.
- **Energy Independence:** Enables industries to depend less on imported coal.

Future Outlook for Biomass in India

India’s bioenergy capacity remains underutilised. With strong policy push, the market for bio briquettes is expected to grow consistently. Emerging trends such as decentralised bioenergy models will further accelerate adoption.

Government programs promoting biofuel manufacturing are likely to attract more capital inflows, leading to advancement of briquetting units. Innovations in advanced dryers will ensure better quality control and market bio mass briquettes reliability.

Summing Up

The biomass briquette price per kg and overall biomass market trends in India reflect a maturing sector moving toward large-scale acceptance. As environmental awareness deepens, bio coal and bio mass briquettes continue to emerge as economical and sustainable alternatives to coal. With supportive policies and industrial adoption from energy-intensive sectors, the outlook for the Indian bioenergy market remains promising, paving the path for a greener and self-reliant future.