Biomass Briquettes in India – Market Trends, Pricing, and Growth Outlook
India’s renewable energy industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, and bio mass briquettes are at the forefront of this change. Derived from farm waste including rice husk, sawdust, and bagasse, these eco-friendly fuels act as a clean and cost-effective substitute for conventional coal. Rising awareness about sustainable energy, combined with government incentives for renewable adoption, has positioned biomass in India as a crucial solution for industries seeking to lower both carbon emissions and operational fuel costs.
What Are Biomass Briquettes and Briquette Coal?
Bio coal briquettes are compressed biofuels made by densifying organic waste materials. Unlike traditional coal, they lack harmful additives or emit excessive smoke, making them ideal for use in energy-intensive industrial processes. These briquettes come in different forms such as cylindrical or square blocks, depending on the manufacturing method.
The briquetting process enhances the energy density of agricultural residues, providing consistent combustion and energy yield. This makes biocoal briquettes a viable alternative for industries in energy-intensive sectors such as cement, textiles, and steel transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Briquettes Price Trends per kg in India
The biomass briquette cost per kg in India fluctuates depending on feedstock supply, regional market conditions, and seasonal demand. Current reports indicate that prices generally range between ?6 and ?10 per kg for standard biomass briquettes. Premium varieties featuring higher calorific value or high-quality compositions may reach prices of ?12–?14 per kg.
Prices often rise during lean crop periods when raw material supply is limited. Similarly, heightened consumption in manufacturing hubs like Punjab and Maharashtra can push rates upward. Conversely, during harvest seasons when residues like bagasse and rice husk are abundant, prices may stabilise or dip.
Biomass Briquette Demand Across Indian Regions
The demand for biomass in India 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 to proximity to agriculture-based raw materials supplying bagasse and cotton stalks.
- Northern India (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh): Rich in agricultural output, it offers abundant paddy briquette coal husk and wheat straw, fuelling large-scale briquette production and biomass energy projects.
- Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh): Industrial sectors such as textiles and food processing are increasingly adopting biomass for cost-effective energy generation.
- Eastern India (Odisha, West Bengal): A growing zone where industries are exploring biomass to replace imported coal.
What Influences Briquette Coal Costs in India
Multiple factors influence bio coal pricing across the country:
1. Raw Material Type and Quality: Inputs with better combustion quality such as hardwood sawdust and bagasse increase production costs but improve efficiency.
2. Moisture Content: Lower moisture improves combustion and storage stability, 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: Winter seasons see higher industrial fuel usage, often resulting in temporary price hikes.
5. Government Policies: Supportive schemes and incentives for renewable energy can help stabilise market pricing and encourage production expansion.
Uses of Biomass Briquettes in Industries
Across India, biomass fuel briquettes are increasingly replacing non-renewable sources. Major applications include:
- **Boilers and Steam Generation:** Used in textile, paper, and food industries for their uniform heating and low ash output.
- **Power Plants:** Biomass-based units often co-fire briquettes with coal to cut emissions and meet renewable quotas.
- **Brick Kilns and Metal Furnaces:** High calorific value makes briquettes suitable for heating, drying, and smelting.
- **Rural Energy Use:** Promoted in rural cooking and heating, reducing firewood dependency.
Environmental and Economic Advantages
Switching to bio mass fuel offers numerous benefits:
- **Reduced Carbon Emissions:** Produces much less CO?, SO?, and NOx than coal.
- **Efficient Waste Utilisation:** Converts farm waste that would otherwise be burned into valuable fuel.
- **Employment Generation:** Encourages local entrepreneurship in collection, processing, and transport.
- **Energy Independence:** Enables industries to use local renewable resources.
Growth Prospects for Biomass Briquettes
India’s biomass potential remains significant yet unexplored. With growing renewable momentum, the market for bio briquettes is expected to expand steadily. Emerging trends such as decentralised bioenergy models will further boost adoption.
Government programs promoting waste-to-energy projects are likely to encourage more capital inflows, leading to upgradation of briquetting units. Innovations in automated presses will ensure improved consistency and price stability.
Summing Up
The biomass briquette price per kg and overall biomass market trends in India reflect a expanding sector moving toward large-scale acceptance. As briquettes price per kg environmental awareness deepens, bio coal and biofuel briquettes continue to emerge as eco-conscious and scalable alternatives to coal. With proactive policies and industrial adoption from production-heavy sectors, the outlook for India’s biomass sector remains promising, paving the path for a carbon-neutral and self-reliant future.